Do we need women-only carriages?

Women-only carriages on trains should be considered to curb sexual assaults, according to a Labour MP. Chris Williamson said they would be a “safe space” for women after sexual assaults on trains doubled in the space of five years. Are safe spaces a good idea? Would you like to see them introduced elsewhere or are they unfair on the majority of men?

There should be safe spaces on trains, not just for women. Nothing gives anyone the right to indecently assault anyone anywhere. I think by making women-only spaces we are regressing to Victorian times. Bea Smith, Doncaster.

It is dreadfully sad that this is necessary but, having been the victim of a sexual assault, I definitely think they are required. Anonymous.

Employ more inspectors to walk up and down the trains and lock the culprits away. How would you like to be left on the platform if a section of the carriage was empty but because of your gender you never got on the train? Margaret Brown, Rutherglen.

We are always hearing there are never enough carriages on trains anyway, so safe spaces would probably cause more uproar. It’s sexist towards men and transgender people, too. Anne Fletcher, Darlington.

When I was a young man, trains did have women-only carriages. If some ladies feel the need for this security, why not? James Thompson, East Lothian.

What happens if a predator accesses one of these carriages knowing that he has a choice of victims? Susan Ireland, Kendal.

I do not think segregation is the answer – education and enforcement of rules is the way to go. Unfortunately, it seems to be unfashionable to expect good behaviour and manners nowadays. Andrew Clubb,

Ellon.

Many women would appreciate safe places. Railways, however, will not be able to afford to implement this. Allison Scotland, Roxburghshire.

By having women-only carriages, are we forgetting assaults on other passengers? Steven Richardson, Highlands.

They couldn’t implement this on buses. How would it work? Judi Martin, Aberdeenshire.