Porn On Public Transport Is Already Unlawful If Unchallenged By TFL!

When a man views pornography public transport or exposes you to it, and his conduct has the effect of violating your dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for you, then this classed as 'sex discrimination' in the form of 'harassment', according to the 2005 amendments to the original 1975 Sex Discrimination Act.

In 2006 as part of the Equality Act, public transport was placed under a duty to eliminate sex discrimination and sexual harassment and promote gender equality in their business as well as their employment practices.

Since many women feel that their dignity is violated when men view pornography and expose them to it, and it also creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating and offensive environment for them on public transport, then TFL are failing to fulfil their duty under the Equality Act, by failing to challenge this aspect of sexual harassment.

Check out the Sex Discrimination Law and TFLs pledges below (see how they should already be making an effort in this area, instead of worrying about 'smelly food'):

According to sex discrimination law “A person discriminates against a woman in any circumstances relevant for the purposes of any provision of the [Sex Discrimination Act 1975] if: 1.-(1)(a) on the ground of her sex he treats her less favourably than he treats or would treat a man”.

In The Employment Equality (Sex Discrimination) Regulations 2005, harassment and sexual harassment were included in the 1975 Act after section 4 (discrimination by way of victimisation). What was inserted in 2005 was “4A (1) a person subjects a woman to harassment if (a) on the ground of her sex, he engages in unwanted conduct that has the purpose or effect (i) of violating her dignity, or (ii) of creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for her.”

The Sex Discrimination Act (1975) was amended again, by the Equality Act (2006) “to place a duty on public authorities to ensure that they promote equality between women and men and transsexuals both in their employment practices and in their business.”

On equality and inclusion, TFL states that: “We are committed to providing accessible transport for all, promoting equal opportunities, good relations between different groups and eliminating unlawful discrimination. We believe transport is one of the most powerful mechanisms for tackling inequality and exclusion. The Group Equality and Inclusion (E&I) team is responsible for leading TfL's agenda to achieve equality and inclusion across its services.

We do this by:

• Removing barriers to accessing our transport services
• Ensuring we employ a diverse workforce that reflects the diverse population of London
• Ensuring those who provide services on our behalf (contractors and sub-contractors) have a similar commitment to equality and inclusion

As part of Transport For London's Women's Action Plan, the Gender Equality Scheme policy states that the Gender Duty “which comes into force in April 2007, requires all public authorities to eliminate sex discrimination and sexual harassment and to promote gender equality. Specifically, the duty requires public bodies to: l ‘Have due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination’ – that is, to be conscious of their obligations under the Sex Discrimination and Equal Pay Acts, and to take steps to ensure that they comply, and to: l ‘Have due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity between men and women’ – to take active steps to promote gender equality when they are carrying out their functions and activities.”

Please use any of the information above in writing your letters!