Stagecoach East buses are to become “safe spaces” for those in fear of abuse under a partnership launched yesterday by the operator, Cambridgeshire Constabulary, and the Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre.
As part of the operator joining the Businesses Against Abuse (BAA) scheme, it has arranged for its drivers to receive training from the Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre.
Stagecoach East’s safeguarding procedures are being enhanced so that drivers better recognise vulnerable people either on or off the bus.
Meanwhile, women and girls who feel in danger are being encouraged to make themselves known to drivers. Even if they are not at a bus stop, the driver is authorised to pull over and offer to take them to a safe place en route.
All Stagecoach Buses in Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and the wider region now form part of the scheme, displaying BAA stickers and carrying CCTV.
A specially branded bus was used to help launch the initiative at Milton Park and Ride in Cambridge, where women’s safety campaigners and elected officials were in attendance.
Speaking at the launch, Darren Roe, Managing Director of Stagecoach East, says: “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.”
Stagecoach East is now one of 300 businesses which are part of the BAA scheme, with around 3,000 people trained.
Nicky Peacock, Businesses Against Abuse Accreditation Scheme Force Lead at Cambridgeshire Constabulary, adds: “We know that the figures for Violence Against Women and Girls are shocking throughout our communities, so these kinds of partnerships are invaluable in raising this as an issue of concern and giving victims somewhere they can go to find safety.
“I would encourage more local businesses to be like Stagecoach East and join BAA.”
