(MENAFN- AFP) Labour leadership favourite Jeremy Corbyn said Wednesday he would consider women-only train carriages in Britain to stem a rising tide of assaults and harassment.
The veteran MP for Islington North, the surprise leader in the four-way contest, made the suggestion in a statement on how to tackle harassment of women across society as a whole.
"It is unacceptable that many women and girls adapt their daily lives in order to avoid being harassed on the street, public transport, and in other public places from the park to the supermarket," Corbyn said.
Many countries around the world have women only-carriages, including Japan, India and Brazil, but Britain phased them out in the 1970s.
"Some women have raised with me that a solution to the rise in assault and harassment on public transport could be to introduce women-only carriages," Corbyn said on his campaign website.
"My intention would be to make public transport safer for everyone from the train platform to the bus stop to on the mode of transport itself.
"However, I would consult with women and open it up to hear their views on whether women-only carriages would be welcome," he said.
Transport for London has this year launched a campaign to encourage people to report sex crimes on the Underground network.
British Transport Police figures show that recorded sexual offences on the London transport system rose nearly 30 percent in 2014-15 from the previous 12 months.
"We believe this increase demonstrates the initiatives we have launched together to increase reporting are having an effect, but there is more we can do," BTP's annual report said.
Transport Minister Claire Perry has previously indicated she is interested in exploring the idea of women-only carriages.
However, Tory MP Sarah Wollaston, who chairs the Commons health select committee, criticised Mr Corbyn's plans.
"Segregating women on public transport doesn't protect anyone, it just normalises unacceptable attitudes," Wollaston tweeted.
Corbyn proposed several other measures to reduce harassment.
He would call regional summits on stopping street harassment, he would create a ministerial role for women's safety and he wants local authorities to appoint cabinet positions for women's safety.
A 24-hour, seven-day police hotline staffed by women is another of the Labour contender's ideas.
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