13 arrested for sexual harassment on public transport in a week

Under the 'Safety Pin Campaign’ the Metropolitan Police Office (MPO) officers have arrested 13 suspects aged between 18 and 30 years  in a one week  long operation. The campaign was launched in association with community service centres and transport entrepreneurs to discourage sexual harassment on public transport from August 2.

According to MPO, "A  team was set up to conduct deceptive operation designed to catch persons making unwanted sexual advances towards female passengers on public transport, mainly the buses. During the operation  anyone found sexually harassing female passengers are arrested outright for legal action under the existing laws."

Every day Tens of thousands  of  women and teenagers have to face various form of sexual harassment in public transport where most cases go unreported. Public vehicles in the Valley are usually overcrowded, providing the molesters with ample opportunities to sexually harass women.

Existing laws define sexual assault as any form of sexual contact or activity like touching, tapping and showing sexually explicit pictures or movies without one’s consent.