Union Calls On Translink To Support Staff More Following Sexual Assault

Unite the Union has called for more support and better security after a female conductor was sexually assaulted on a train journey from L'Derry to Belfast.

The incident happened when the conductor intervened after a group of male passengers became rowdy on Saturday, 14 April.

Unite urged Translink to provide more support for its staff and greater security following the unacceptable behaviour.

Unite Regional Officer Davy Thompson said: "A fellow member of staff had already confiscated alcohol from a group of male passengers and this was being held safely until they got off the train and as they were apparently unhappy with this a number of men saw fit to offer verbal abuse and to grab the female worker painfully, resulting in clear physical and sexual harassment.

"As the passengers exited the train at Mossley West they once again subjected the conductor, whose duties had her to stand at the exit doorway, to further unwanted contact and they became highly abusive in demanding that their alcohol be returned to them.

"The worker who was at the receiving end of this humiliating and violating treatment by these drunken thugs has been very badly shaken by the experience. She is providing the PSNI with a statement on the incident. The full weight of the law must come down on those responsible as a discouragement to others who think that this sort of behaviour is acceptable. Unite also expects Translink management to ensure that this worker is fully and properly supported to get over this experience – unfortunately this has not always been the case in the past."

(CD/MH)