UN Women and BBC reports indicate that over 80% of women have experienced some form of harassment in public spaces, and most incidents go unreported. The World Bank’s work on Serbia shows the consequence: women take longer, costlier routes or shift travel times to feel safer. The European Parliament (2021) underscores a gender gap: women use public transport more, feel less safe, and change their behavior because of fear.
The result? A money spent on alternatives, because safety isn’t guaranteed.
What women in Belgrade told us (pre-pilot survey, n≈300)
- 86% experienced some form of harassment or discomfort on public transport (verbal harassment, inappropriate comments, unwanted physical contact, stalking, or non-consensual recording).
- 74% never reported the incident. Top reasons: “not serious enough,” not knowing where to report, no trust that action would be taken, or fear of backlash.
- 68% avoid certain lines, stops, or times (late evenings, poorly lit areas, crowded interchanges).
- 95% would use an app to anonymously report incidents and see a live risk map.
What they need most (top-requested features):
- Anonymous reporting + hotspot map by line/stop/time.
- Direct line to safety services + proactive alerts when approaching a risky location.
- Incident history by location to plan safer routes.
“I didn’t report because I believed nothing would happen.” — the most common reason in our survey
The visibility gap
When two-thirds of incidents never enter official systems, the map of risk looks cleaner than reality. Without granular, real-time data, cities and transport operators can’t target security staff, lighting, cameras, or staff training where they are most needed.
SafeMove: From hidden stories to real-time action
SafeMove closes three critical gaps: reporting, visibility, and response.
- 3-tap anonymous reporting → lowers the barrier to speak up and unlocks real data.
- Dynamic risk map (by line, stop, and hour) → transparency for riders, operational intelligence for agencies.
- Smart alerts & safer route suggestions → prevention, not just after-the-fact logging.
Bottom line: fewer detours and surprise costs; more freedom to move.
Cities and employers must care. What’s next
- Pilot on selected Belgrade lines focused on hotspots, rapid feedback loops, and staff training.
- Co-design with riders to prioritize features, language, and SOS options.
- Monthly open dashboards to track trends and hold everyone accountable.
Sources at a glance
- UN Women / BBC (2020–2023): 80%+ of women report harassment in public spaces; most incidents are not reported.
- World Bank (Serbia): Women alter routes/times and pay more to feel safe.
- European Parliament (2021): Women use transit more, feel less safe, and change itineraries due to fear.
- Belgrade pre-pilot survey (2025, n≈300): 86% experienced discomfort/harassment, 74% unreported, 68% avoid lines/areas/times, 95% would use a reporting & risk-map app.
Join and shape the pilot
Help us make commutes safer. Your input directly improves the product and the city’s response.
Take the survey / join the pilot: https://safe-transit-hero.lovable.app/