CTA working on anti-harassment campaign

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Kara Crutcher was 14 years old the first time she was sexually harassed while riding the CTA.

"This man followed me off the Red Line and on to the 147," she said. The harassment continued over the years, she said. "I've had verbal harassment. I've had people touch me. I've witnessed people performing sexual acts."

Two months ago, Crutcher reached out to the CTA's advertising agency in the hope of collaborating on a campaign discouraging sexual harassment on trains and buses.

"What's really important is reframing what it means to pay someone a compliment versus harassment because that plays a huge role in the psyche of a young girl," Crutcher said.

The CTA is working with Crutcher to come up with ideas for the campaign said victims should get as much information as soon as possible to transit officials.

"As you know, we have cameras on all of our train stations, on our trains, on our buses. We will prosecute with Chicago police to the full extent of the law these perpetrators," Tammy Chase, CTA spokesperson, said.

Crutcher is now trying to raise funds for ads through the Courage Campaign, which she started.

"A sign might seem silly but a sign might encourage someone next to you to stand up for you if someone is bothering you," Crutcher said.