Lily, a 20-year-old University of Warwick student, has bravely spoken out about a frightening incident that occurred on her way home from a Sabrina Carpenter concert in Birmingham last year.
After an exhilarating night of singing along to her favourite pop hits, Lily’s mood quickly changed when she and her friends were waiting at Coventry train station around 11 pm. While waiting for their train back to Leamington Spa, a man in his 60s approached them, sparking a distressing encounter.
“He just started walking over and asking us all sorts of personal questions,” Lily recounted. The man questioned their whereabouts and plans, complimenting them in an intrusive way. Despite their clear signals that they did not want to engage, he persisted.
Attempting to stay safe, Lily and her friends moved to a group of nearby students, hoping the larger group would deter any further issues. However, the man then began swearing and verbally abusing them, calling them offensive names when they refused to respond.
The situation escalated quickly enough that Lily felt shaken, but thankfully their train arrived without the man boarding. “We were relieved when he didn’t get on the train with us,” she said.
Reflecting on the experience, Lily spoke about the broader issues women face when travelling alone or in small groups at night. “It’s really sad that as women who frequently use public transport, we have to be so alert to potential dangers.” She also highlighted the lack of visible station staff at night, which she feels contributed to the sense of vulnerability.
Lily admitted she was previously unaware of the non-emergency 61016 number for reporting safety concerns on public transport, and explained her hesitation to call the emergency number in such situations. “Unfortunately, it feels like this kind of behaviour is something many women just brace themselves for,” she said.
The incident shines a light on the importance of accessible support and visible staffing at stations to help passengers feel safe. Avanti West Coast, the operator of Coventry station, confirmed that all their managed stations are equipped with CCTV and staffed during operating hours. They work closely with British Transport Police and have Safer Travel Officers in place.
In a statement, Avanti encouraged passengers to report any uncomfortable experiences directly to staff or via the 61016 text service, or call 999 if in immediate danger. The train operator also emphasised its commitment to safety through accreditation schemes like the Secure Stations Scheme and White Ribbon status, demonstrating ongoing efforts to combat violence against women and enhance passenger security.
Lily’s story stands as a crucial reminder of the challenges women face in public spaces and the need for continued vigilance and support to make journeys safer for everyone.