In connection with the 'Stand UP' campaign on harassment, a study by IPSOS emerged last year. It showed that up to 84% of women had experienced sexual violence in public spaces.

TikTok users have been talking about this problem recently. They created the #subwayshirt campaign, in which they share their ways to use public transport more safely. Why are they hiding their outfits under oversized t-shirts?

Women wear big t-shirts, shirts or jackets on the underground or public transport. Even though it's hot outside, they don't undress or give up an extra layer of clothing. Only when they are in a place where they feel safe do they uncover short tops and cut-out T-shirts. Why do they do this? It is a matter of self-protection.

Women on TikTok are sharing the precautions they take when using public transport. On numerous videos under the hashtag #subwayshirt, one will find footage in which tiktokers remind girls not to forget a big T-shirt when travelling.

"Ladies, now that it's hot out, don't forget to bring your subway/ commute overshirt. Stay hot sexy, stay sexy. Stay safe from creeps," Hanselkai advised on TikTok.

Some women admit that they dress that way when they use transport services such as Uber or Bolt. Why do girls cover their bodies even then? To avoid drawing unwanted attention from men. More simply: they don't want a creep to stare at their cleavage or belly.

"Just know if you see me in a white button down, the real fit is underneath." - one tiktoker points out.

The tiktokers' videos have received quite a strong reaction from viewers. Women in the comments admit that they also think about what to put on when travelling by public transport. Many of them express sadness at having to resort to such measures.

"Fashion safety layer," one person wrote in the comments, while another described the trend as "sad but necessary".

However, there were also people who say that even this kind of protection does not make them feel safe, the men still stare at them. Some also pointed out that the trend is trying to make us believe that what we are wearing matters when it comes to harassment, and this is a harmful approach.

This aspect is worth emphasising. No clothing is an "invitation to harassment". Women who experience it are not guilty because they "seduce by cleavage and a short skirt". The person who commits violence is the only one to blame.

The trend only shows what women are being forced to do, because this problem is still being belittled. Let us remind you that when the harassment study mentioned at the beginning came out, some people ridiculed it because, after all, "it's impossible for so many women to have experienced sexual violence".

And yet. Harassment is not only rape. Whistling, accosting, persistent and intrusive staring - these are also forms of sexual violence. Can something be done so that women do not have to protect themselves in this way? Yes. We need sound sex education, not the repetition of the harmful thesis that girls can't wear something to school because they tempt boys with it.

Especially since men, as we know very well, can move freely even without a shirt. Some, like politician Janusz Korwin-Mikke, have no problem walking around town in just their underpants.

Sources: TikTok, NY Post, Independent