Cambridge buses become "safe spaces" for those fearing abuse

Buses in the Cambridge area have become places of refuge as part of a new partnership.

The bus operator Stagecoach has struck a partnership with Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Police Authority, and the Cambridge and Peterborough Rape Crisis Centre to join the Businesses Against Abuse (BAA) scheme.

If a driver recognises that a women or girl may be in fear of abuse on the street, they are authorised to pull over and ask if they need help and then take her to a safe place on route if necessary.

Likewise, if a driver sees that a passenger is in fear of abuse, they have been given training to help.

Darren Roe, Managing Director of Stagecoach East, spoke to Star Radio:

"Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls is something that we all need to take responsibility for and we are working very hard to play our part in this.

"I would encourage anyone who is in fear or abuse, either on the bus or if they see a bus, to make themselves known to the driver, who will try to help them.

"We have no silver bullet and we cannot solve every problem, but we have the desire and the determination to play our part, and over time our drivers will become ever more confident with what we are asking of them. 

"We also hope that, because our buses will be very visible as a place where victims can go and report abuse, it will deter would-be abusers."

All Stagecoach East buses now display BAA stickers with QR codes by their entrance doors, designating them as safe-spaces and all their buses have multiple cameras, so cases of abuse will be recorded and reported.

Approximately 300 local businesses are part of Businesses Against Abuse, with approximately 3,000 people trained.

Find out more by tapping here.