Prague launches campaign to combat sexual harassment on public transport

One out of every three women and one out of every ten men fall victim to harassment when traveling on public transportation in the Czech Republic. A new campaign launched by the city of Prague hopes to change that by drawing attention to key issues and empowering bystanders to intervene.

The initiative, running through mid-September, aims to name and define different types of harassment while offering passengers practical tools to address it. Spearheaded by Prague’s transport authority ROPID and the NGO Konsent, the campaign responds to alarming findings from a 2021 study by the Czechia's Government Council for Gender Equality.

The study revealed that one-third of passengers who witness harassment do not react, and 20 percent of passengers encountered unwelcome attempts to caress, kiss, or get physically close. The study also found that 19 percent of passengers witnessed public indecency, and 8 percent experienced forced physical contact.

"We will not advise passengers, and certainly not women, who are more likely to be victims of harassment, how to dress or behave to avoid harassment. That would just be victim blaming," Deputy Mayor for Transport Zdeněk Hřib states through a press release.

"On the contrary, it is necessary to clearly name what behavior we do not tolerate in public transport. And secondly, to say that it is perfectly fine to speak up against harassment, even though it may not directly concern us personally."

The campaign encourages passengers to speak up when witnessing inappropriate behavior. Simple phrases like "Stop," or diverting attention with a question like "Do you have the time?" can provide relief to those being harassed. This guidance aims to make intervention feel more accessible, especially to those who feel uncertain or unsafe confronting harassers directly.

“It’s important to say out loud that harassment doesn’t have to be just touching or comments; it can also be unwanted staring. We want to help normalize speaking up when something inappropriate happens,” adds Konsent's Anna Hrábková, creator of the campaign.

Posters and digital displays across Prague’s public transport system highlight these issues while offering practical advice. Through a QR code, passengers can access additional resources, share their experiences anonymously, and learn more about what constitutes harassment.

"After the error in the definition of rape was successfully corrected, harassment is another big problem for us," says Johanna Nejedlová, director of Konsent, referring to a recent bill that redefined rape as non-consensual sex. She emphasized that on public transport, the most effective response often comes from ordinary bystanders.

"We all want to feel safe and comfortable in public transport. Unfortunately, sometimes we may encounter inappropriate behavior from some passengers, but even if we as fellow travelers would like to intervene, we are afraid or do not know how," adds ROPID director Petr Tomčík.

"This campaign encourages people not to be indifferent and use smart tips to help intervene without putting their own safety at risk. At the same time, we want to tell all aggressors that we do not tolerate such behavior."