Call to Action: Enhancing Safety Measures for Children & Vulnerable Individuals in Taxis and PSVs

URGENT NEED: Recent reports continue to highlight a concerning trend, further reinforcing the notion that taxis (including taxis from booking platforms) pose a significant risk to passengers. A growing number of incidents suggest an alarming increase in incidences of abuse and exploitation of passengers - children and vulnerable adults - ?while using these transportation services.

Collective Responsibility: Every day, thousands of children and young people travel by school vans, taxis, and buses, with an adult or other children, and sometimes on their own.

While traditionally safety has focused on careful “defensive” driving, avoiding accidents, trends clearly suggest that emerging safety concerns require much more!

We all have a responsibility to keep children and vulnerable adults safe from harm and abuse, whether in school vans, taxis, buses, and generally Public Service Vehicles (PSVs).?

The drivers, and those working in transportation, can play a significant role and are in a unique position to identify and help take steps to prevent the abuse, exploitation, or neglect of children and vulnerable adults. By understanding early warning signs and knowing what to do when there are concerns that a child, or vulnerable adult is at risk.

What is safeguarding: Safeguarding is the process of working to protect individuals (especially children and vulnerable adults) from harm such as abuse, neglect, and exploitation. It ensures children grow up with safe and effective care and are given the best life chances.

Demand for safe transport: Are you a driver who regularly picks up and drops off children and young people? Or do you employ or manage drivers to carry children and young people?

Safeguarding public service vehicle drivers is essential because this role brings drivers into close contact with children, and vulnerable adults, often without the company of other adults.

In view of the emerging risks, there are lots of valid reasons for taxi drivers to be provided with (yes need for mandatory) safeguarding guidance, and perhaps the most fundamental reason behind this suggestion is to protect the safety and wellbeing of everyone in the vehicle.?

Minimum standard: A urgent need for safeguarding guidance including safe recruitment, which requires enhanced reference checks, and safeguarding training, among others.?

Call to action: We must recognize this urgent need for those involved in transporting our children and vulnerable individuals to embrace heightened safeguarding protocols, guaranteeing the safety and welfare of all occupants in the vehicle. Embracing these measures goes beyond mere good practice; it is important for a safe society. Let us rally together to advocate for comprehensive safeguards that leave no room for compromise when it comes to protecting the most vulnerable among us.

What do you think?