2015
A new study has found that one hundred percent of women who ride the Paris Metro report having been sexually harrassed during their commutes. Six hundred women were surveyed in an attempt to shed light on the issue of gender-based harassment in French public spaces. The Telegraph reports:
Pascale Boisard, president of the high council for gender equality, which compiled the report, told Le Parisien she had not realised that “the problem was quite this widespread.”
“Women must be able to move about and occupy the public space without being placed in danger or threatened. It's a fundamental freedom,” she said.
Ernestine Ronai, also on the council, said: “Attackers are the impression they can act with total impunity, notably by making use of a crowd to hide and flee. “Women don't necessarily know how to put words on what they go through in public transport. It should be reiterated that putting your hand on someone's backside is sexual assault punishable by a five-year prison term and a €75,000 fine.”
1876
In the second half of the nineteenth century, many women who'd previously only travelled with fathers or husbands started venturing out on their own. The Ladies' Book of Etiquette and Manual of Politeness, a guide to life in the public sphere, advised women on how to deal with unwanted attention from rude men duing trips:
There are many little civilities which a true gentleman will offer to a lady traveling alone, which she may accept, even from an entire stranger, with perfect propriety; but, while careful to thank him courteously, whether you accept or decline his attentions, avoid any advance towards acquaintanceship. If he sits near you and seems disposed to be impertinent, or obtrusive in his attentions or conversation, lower your veil and turn from him, either looking from the window or reading. A dignified, modest reserve is the surest way to repel impertinence. Nothing will rebuke incivility in another so surely as perfect courtesy in your own manner. Many will be shamed into apology.