Jeremy Corbyn criticised over women-only train carriage idea

‘Turning the clock back’

The document also outlines other anti-harassment policies Corbyn would introduce including a 24-hour sexual assault hotline and a women’s safety minister.

“Segregation to ‘keep women safe’ is turning the clock back, not tackling the problem,” said Yvette Cooper, also running for the Labour leadership. “We shouldn’t have to shut ourselves away from men for our own safety.”

Just got off tube. Majority of passengers women. Why should we have to shut ourselves away to stay safe? Stop #VAWG instead #segregation

— Yvette Cooper (@YvetteCooperMP) August 26, 2015

Liz Kendall, another Labour leadership contender, said she didn’t believe in gender segregation and that Corbyn’s proposal would be “an admission of defeat, rather than a sustainable solution.”

Last year the transport minister Claire Perry indicated she was interested in exploring the idea of women-only carriages, which are in operation in Japan, India, Brazil and other countries.

She said at the time that she was determined to do “whatever we have to” to reverse the increase in sex crimes and boost safety.

‘Step backwards’

Laura Bates, of the Everyday Sexism Project, said Mr Corbyn’s plan to consult with women was “the way forward”, but she was strongly against the proposal.

“In terms of the issue itself, I think it would be a real step backwards,” she said.

“It sends the message that harassment is inevitable, perpetrators are unable to help themselves and women should simply find a way round it.”