Photo by {ryan}

It was just last month that Metro officials seemed totally oblivious to the problem of sexual harassment on area trains and buses. Now they’re getting ready to kick off a public service campaign encouraging riders to report any harassment as soon as it happens.

The Examiner reports that the new campaign, which is slated to kick off next month, is based on one used in the Boston T that has heightened awareness of harassment as a problem and increased reporting to the police:

Gina Scaramella, executive director of the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center, said the campaign provided gender-neutral messages to let riders know anyone could be a victim and encouraged other riders not to stand by and let such acts happen.

The program also encourages riders to take pictures of those committing the acts, something local police were initially nervous about. But MacMillan said it’s been successful. The agency shares photos with the local media to find the suspects and has made arrests.

Metro has also set up a website and an email address—harassment@wmata.com—to allow riders to report sexual harassment.