Stib launches campaign against sexual harassment

Brussels public transport operator Stib has launched a new campaign against sexual harassment in collaboration with artist and choreographer Jeny Bonsenge, La Monnaie opera house and the City of Brussels.

In a campaign video inspired by the opera Medusa, a man on a bus becomes the victim of harassment, with the typical gender roles of aggressor and victim deliberately reversed.

At the heart of the campaign is the so-called "Medusa Move", a simple hand gesture symbolising intervention and solidarity.

“For me, it’s about respect and raising awareness,” said Bonsenge, who developed the choreography for the video.

“The most important thing is that people react. You don’t have to do anything spectacular: sitting next to someone, making eye contact or asking if everything is OK can already make a big difference.

"Many women experience this on a daily basis. By reversing the roles in the video, you immediately see how wrong it is."

The campaign comes not long after the published accounts of several women who have been harassed on the metro by the same man, Bruzz reports.

Three different women came forward with complaints about harassment and assault from the same man on metro line 5 between De Brouckère and Beekkant, and at Maelbeek and Saint-Guidon stations.

Stib spokesperson Laurent Vermeersch said security staff intervened in at least one instance and the victim was encouraged to file a complaint.

“Only the police can identify perpetrators,” Vermeersch explained.

The Brussels-West police zone confirmed that one of the women had filed a complaint regarding the incident on the metro.

“The investigation into the incident is ongoing,” authorities said. “As part of this, CCTV footage has been requested from the STIB to identify the suspect.”

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Stib’s new campaign emphasises the transport operator's commitment to raising awareness about sexual harassment and calls on passengers to intervene and report incidents when boundaries are crossed.

Bonsenge, who also speaks out on women’s rights and violence worldwide, sees the campaign as a way to use her platform for more than just entertainment.

“It’s important that we keep talking about this,” Bonsenge said. “Together we are stronger.”

On Thursday 30 April at 13.00, Stib and Bonsenge are organising a public event at Place de la Monnaie where passengers can perform the "Medusa Move" together as a visible signal against harassment in the city.