Sexual harassment decreasing on Metro thanks to 'It's Off Limits' campaign

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- More than one in five passengers on Metro trains and buses say they have experienced sexual harassment while riding public transit in Los Angeles County.

"If anybody experiences sexual harassment on the Metro bus or rail system, that's unacceptable to us," said Metro spokesman Paul Gonzales.

According to a new poll, 18 percent of bus riders and 21 percent of train riders say they have been subjected to some type of harassment, including sexual gestures and comments. Seven percent of riders on both buses and trains say they've experienced physical harassment, such as groping, unwanted touching or fondling.

"I have seen violence before, which is kind of scary because you have nowhere to go," Dana Merschon said.

In April, Metro announced its latest campaign, "It's Off Limits," which encouraged people to report incidents with a new Transit Watch app and hotline at (888) 950-SAFE.

Since then, officials say the number of harassment cases have dropped.

"That's three percent less than the response rate in our previous study. It indicates to us that our effort to combat sexual harassment has been successful," Gonzales said.

Metro says even though some people say they felt harassed, few tell anyone about it. In 2014, there were only 99 official reports of unwanted sexual conduct.

Officials say Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies ride these trains and buses regularly, and they will respond to any calls of sexual harassment.