New training module launching on identifying violence against women and girls
A new training module has been commissioned by the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) to support bus and coach drivers to identify and report violence against women and girls (VAWG).
The trade body commissioned Understood to build the new training module. The package includes a series of video clips and interactive activities to highlight different scenarios drivers may experience, and how their behaviour can help to defuse situations without putting themselves in danger.
Tackling VAWG is a priority for the Government, which has pledged to halve violence against women and girls over the next decade, and the Bus Services (No. 2) Bill will strengthen requirements for driver training to manage anti-social behaviour more broadly.
To support this, CPT and its members worked with partners including trade unions, the White Ribbon campaign and Women’s Aid over several months to develop a training package to prepare bus and coach drivers to identify and report VAWG incidents.
“This training is an important step for our industry, supporting drivers in recognising VAWG and knowing what to do” – Keith McNally, Operations Director of the Confederation of Passenger Transport
Keith McNally, Operations Director of the Confederation of Passenger Transport, said: “We believe everyone should feel safe and comfortable using public transport, but sadly we know this isn’t always the case. This training is an important step for our industry, supporting drivers in recognising VAWG and knowing what to do, helping them to lead the way in creating a safer public transport system across the country. Thank you to Understood for being such great partners in this work.”
“…we believe training must sit alongside a wider system of support bringing people and organisations across communities together” – Carolyn Quainton, Director of Understood
Carolyn Quainton, Director of Understood, said: “We’re proud to be working with CPT to get this important training module up and running. However, we recognise that training alone is not sufficient for tackling violence against women and girls; we believe training must sit alongside a wider system of support bringing people and organisations across communities together.”