NCJ Number
189255
Journal
Security Journal Volume: 14 Issue: 2 Dated: 2001 Pages: 29-40
Date Published
2001
Length
12 pages
Annotation
Women entering the workforce as taxi drivers face gender-dominated forms of victimization, as well as the same security concerns as male drivers.
Abstract
Participants in this research were volunteers from an opportunity sample of taxi drivers licensed to work in Darlington, a large town in Northeast England. The taxi workforce was 500, with a female/male ratio of around 1:25. The research was conducted between November 1999 and April 2000. Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were used. Results showed that female and male drivers reported similar levels of physical attack and verbal abuse. However, women were significantly more likely to be sexually harassed and to consider leaving their jobs due to violence at work. Women were also significantly more likely than male drivers to report physical attacks to the police. Male customers were the group most likely to be violent towards taxi drivers, regardless of the driver’s gender. Six female taxi drivers were interviewed to discuss possible security measures. The most common security device reported was the two-way radio, with all women reporting having one installed in their car. Partition screens are not common in Darlington and are difficult, expensive, and time-consuming to install. No taxis in Darlington have installed in-car security cameras, and they are not prevalent in any part of England. All women agreed that cameras would be useful if money were no object. Most women carried a mobile phone with them not primarily as a form of security but useful if the car broke down out of radio signal area. CS gas spray, weapons, and verbal skills were other methods of security used by these women. 2 tables, 1 graph, and 34 notes.