The fear of suffering harassment and other types of violence affects the routine of women who use buses in Rio de Janeiro, according to a study by Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV). The survey interviewed 63 female passengers, all of whom said they were afraid of sexual harassment on public transport.
On a scale of 0 to 10, the interviewees' feeling of security received a score of 5.08.
"This fear of harassment and violence interferes with women's routine and movement in the city and compromises their right to come and go, reduces women's autonomy and widens inequalities. It restricts access to work and leisure and creates a situation of panic, stress and psychological harm", said Marcus Quintella, director of FGV Transportes.
Cook Andreia de Albuquerque says she tries to protect herself when traveling.
"I'm scared, yes, because it's complicated. You get on the bus and someone pulls up next to you. I always look for a corner," he said.
The research also showed that the feeling of vulnerability increases when public transport is crowded.
"In the same way that there are educated men, there are some who are not and they lean in to see if they can get something. I try to stay close to the women, but when there is no way, I put my bag in front of them", said cleaning assistant Ilmar Santos de Sá Ferreira.
Another effect highlighted by the research is the financial impact caused by insecurity. According to the study, some women use app-based cars to feel safer, which increases the cost of travel.
According to the Public Security Institute (ISP), from January to July this year, 130 cases of sexual harassment were recorded on public transport.
Until 2018, sexual harassment was considered a criminal misdemeanor, punishable by a fine. Since then, it has become a crime, with a penalty of 1 to 5 years in prison.
In Rio's main bus terminals, there is an itinerant project called Banco Roxo, where passengers can find information about reporting channels in cases of sexual harassment and harassment.
“You know that, when you see a purple bench on the bus platforms, you will receive support and information about combating and confronting harassment on the bus,” said Cláudia Araújo da Silva, advisor to the State Secretariat for Women in Rio de Janeiro.
Passengers also advocate for more supervision and report that they needed to learn how to react to harassment situations.
"Before, I was afraid. You don't know what people's reaction will be. So, I built up the courage over time to stop it from happening again and to impose myself more", said stock assistant Yasmin Barreto.
For vigilante Heloiza Gomes Cardoso, the existence of laws needs to be accompanied by supervision.
"There is no point in creating a law and not monitoring it. They end up being at their mercy, doing what they want with a woman's body," he said.
Anyone who is a victim or witnesses a case of harassment on public transport can resort to official reporting channels. In case of emergency, the advice is to call the Military Police on 190.
It is also possible to seek assistance through the Women's Service Center, at number 180, which offers listening and support to women in situations of violence.
Other available channels are 197, for reporting violence; Central 1746, from Rio City Hall, which receives notifications of cases of harassment and assaults in the city; and Hotline Denúncia, at 2253-1177.
The services are free, open 24 hours a day and reports can be made anonymously.
