Google searches for the word ‘safe’ have tripled. Why?

I don’t know what it reveals about the state of the world, or the state of my soul, that I consider not looking at my phone on the tube to somehow be virtuous, but I do. It is, at the very least, good for my neck. And my eyes – and those need all the help they can get. So instead, I examine the posters.

A new series of ads issued by Transport For London have particularly caught my ailing eyes. They aim to address the very serious issue of sexual harassment on public transport, with suggestions for how members of the public can help. Here’s one:

‘Distract with a question. “What’s the next stop?” “What’s the time?” “What zone are we in?” You can help defuse an incident of sexual harassment by asking the person being targeted a small question. Only interrupt if you feel safe.’