Is It Even Safe For Our Women To Get Into A Taxi Alone These Days?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-170276/No-woman-safe-minicab-says-rape-judge.html

/// Police figures show that 214 women were sexually assaulted in the capital last year after getting into illegal minicabs and 54 raped. ///

But it would appear that the Transport for London is withholding information on the number of women who are sexually assaulted when they get into taxi cabs, why could this be?

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/uk-minicab-drivers-claim-tfl-hiding-data-sexual-assaults-taxis-they-are-demanding-truth-1544945

[naomi24]

andy-hughes, you can tell me what you like, but I can't guarantee I'll take it seriously.

[naomi24]

:o)

[melv16]

Perhaps if the women involved didn't get falling down drunk, they might have the sense not to get into an illegal taxi. A very drunk woman is easy prey for a potential rapist, I'm sorry to say.

[andy-hughes]

divebuddy - //Andy. Does somebody wind you up in the morning. You know like a clockwork toy. Then you whizz along merrily until you wind down. //

Almost - I was wound up in 2000 when I started on the AB - and I have never would down since!!!!

LOL!

[andy-hughes]

melv- //Perhaps if the women involved didn't get falling down drunk, they might have the sense not to get into an illegal taxi. A very drunk woman is easy prey for a potential rapist, I'm sorry to say. //

That could light the blue touch paper on a favourite and much wrestled with debate here on the AB - is a woman who is too drunk to know what she is doing responsible for what happens to her?

Allow me to reiterate my oft stated view on the subject to start us off - if indeed it does develop into that discussion -

I don't care if a woman is lifted unconscious into a vehicle of any description, she should be safely conveyed home and left with someone who can look after her, because that is how people in a civilised society behave.

[melv16]

Andy. People in a civilised society should behave as you say, but they don't. There are some parts of my city I wont venture after a certain time and I'm a big bloke. I use a modicum of common sense to keep me out of trouble.

[andy-hughes]

melv16 - //Andy. People in a civilised society should behave as you say, but they don't. There are some parts of my city I wont venture after a certain time and I'm a big bloke. I use a modicum of common sense to keep me out of trouble. //

Absolutely.

I am often accused of being idealistic (polite version) or living in a fantasy (less polite version) but my take is this -

If we (and this is absolutely not aimed at you, or indeed anyone personally) as a culture continue to shrug our shoulders and tell ourselves that this is the way life is, we have to accept it, then life will obviously continue to be exactly that way.

Cultural changes occur because enough people make it known that foregone behaviours are no longer acceptable, and society will no longer tolerate them any longer.

We don't put children up chimneys anymore, hopefully by the same will to change, eventually women will be able to get into taxis, drunk or not, and be sure of getting home without a detour to the police station or hospital on the way.