Leading the Way: New Railway Staff Training to Tackle Violence Against Women and Girls

At Night Time Economy Solutions, we believe that safety after dark should never be left to chance and that every journey, whether it's starting or ending the night, matters.

That’s why we’re proud to have developed a bespoke training package for frontline railway staff in Northamptonshire, commissioned by the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner. This innovative training equips staff with the skills and confidence to recognise and respond to signs of violence against women and girls (VAWG) across the transport network.

A Trauma-Informed, Practical Approach

So often, women are placed at the forefront of keeping themselves safe; however, the narrative needs to change to women's safety is everyone's problem and everyone's solution. Therefore, this package is:

• ✅ Trauma-informed

• ✅ Practical and scenario-based

• ✅ Designed with input from survivors and subject-matter experts

• ✅ Focused on awareness, early intervention, and safeguarding

  
  

Our goal was to ensure the training would be relevant, engaging, and, above all, useful, giving staff the tools they need to support passengers who could become vulnerable at any stage of their journey and take proactive action when something doesn’t feel right.

Building on Our Track Record

This is the second VAWG-related training package we’ve delivered in Northamptonshire. The first, a series of compulsory video modules for taxi and private hire drivers, has not only been a success locally, it’s also been adopted by Kent Police, helping raise safeguarding standards across the country.

Both packages reflect our broader mission: to collaborate with local authorities, businesses, and frontline services to create safer, more inclusive environments in our towns, cities, and transport hubs.

Key Learnings & Top Tips for Keeping Women Safe on Public Transport at Night

Throughout the development and delivery of this training, we’ve identified several key strategies that transport providers and frontline staff can adopt to create safer experiences for women and girls:

1. Be present and observant. A visible, attentive staff member can deter unwanted behaviour and offer reassurance to passengers travelling alone.

2. Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, a passenger appears distressed, or someone is behaving aggressively or inappropriately, it probably isn’t. Approach, check-in, and report.

3. Use trauma-informed language. Speak calmly and respectfully, avoid blaming language, and give individuals control over what happens next.

4. Know the safeguarding pathways. Ensure staff know when and how to escalate concerns, and how to access support from police, social services, or third-sector partners.

5. Create safer spaces. Encourage well-lit areas, designated waiting zones, and clear signage to help women feel secure, especially at quieter stations or during late hours.

6. Promote awareness. Display posters and messages that clearly state unacceptable behaviour won’t be tolerated and that help is available.

7. Work in partnership. Local councils, police, transport authorities and operators all have a role to play; collaboration is key to systemic change.

These tips are just the starting point. The real impact occurs when they’re consistently embedded into staff training, operational policies, and everyday practice.

Partnership in Action

We would like to thank the wider Northamptonshire PFCC team for their commitment to championing safety across all aspects of the nighttime economy. Their leadership continues to set a powerful example for how proactive partnership working can create meaningful, lasting change.

One Journey at a Time

From taxi ranks to train platforms, every touchpoint in the night-time journey matters. This new training is another crucial step towards ensuring that women and girls feel safe, supported, and valued, regardless of how or where they travel.

Find out more about the programme here

If you’d like to commission a similar package for your area or transport network, please don't hesitate to contact us,