Harassment and violence: what to do if you are a victim or a witness on Paris public transport?

On public transport, it's sometimes possible to witness scenes of verbal or physical violence towards other passengers. As a witness, you may be wondering how to react, and may be afraid of endangering yourself by intervening. Here's what to do if you witness or are the victim of violence or harassment on the metro, RER, streetcar or subway.

It's the kind of scene you can unfortunately witness or experience yourself when using public transport. Verbal and physical violence, harassment, sexist and racial aggression- it's not just something that happens to other people. Faced with such injustice, victims can find themselves in danger, despite the presence of witnesses who are in turn afraid to intervene. A vicious circle ensues, with the victim left to deal with the threat alone.

What tools can you use to report an attack in real time on RATP transport, and how can you find refuge?

So how can the RATP network help victims of assault on Paris public transport? A free emergency number, accessible by telephone or SMS, has been set up: 3117 for calls, or 31 17 7 for text messages. It enables you to report harassment or aggression on public transport in real time, whether you are a victim or a witness. We recommend that you record these incidents on your phone, so that you can act as quickly as possible should such a situation arise.

It is also possible to go down to the station to contact the agents via the call points, or to the ticket office to report the situation and be accompanied as a victim. On buses, after 10pm, it is also possible to approach the driver to request a stop between two stations and explain the situation. Finally, there are a number of "SafePlace Umay" locations where victims can be sheltered and protected. To find the nearest one, you'll need to use the Umay application. We also recommend that you download it in advance.

In the event of sexist or sexual assault, you can also report it to RATP using the following forms:

How should I react if I witness an attack?

Having to deal with harassment or aggression in the presence of silent witnesses creates a profound sense of loneliness for victims. Direct intervention can help defuse the threat. Are you wondering how to support a victim, even though you're afraid of putting yourself at risk? The Stand Up program, which fights street harassment, advocates the 5D rule, which enables you to come to the victim's aid depending on the situation:

Distract: Pretend to know the person being harassed, ask for the time or create a distraction.
Delegate: Find an authority figure or third party and ask them to help you intervene.
Document: Discreetly film the scene and ask the victim to provide evidence or testify.
Direct: Address the harasser directly and ask him or her to stop the harassment.
Dialogue: Talk to the harasser afterwards, telling him or her that what he or she has experienced is not acceptable.

Online training courses for both victims and witnesses are available at this link.