Commuters have sent police more than 1500 alerts about incidents on Victoria’s public transport network in the 12 months since the launch of a text service to stamp out sexual harassment.

The service, STOPIT, was launched on July 11, 2022, with almost one in five notifications fielded since its inception relating to unwanted sexual behaviour.

More than half of the people who have used the service are women and girls, and police have arrested 13 people thanks to STOPIT.

The Australia-first service enables victims or witnesses to text a dedicated police transit team with details about incidents..

Those arrested include a 20-year-old man, who was charged after he allegedly performed explicit acts towards five women on multiple train lines between March and August 2022.

Officers connected the incidents after one alleged victim used STOPIT to report the man.

A 51-year-old man was charged with sexual assault after he allegedly touched and made inappropriate comments towards a woman at Southern Cross Station on December 23.

A commuter also took a photo of a 44-year-old man allegedly directing sexual activity at another person on a train leaving Clayton Railway Station on October 25 and reported him through the app.

The 44-year-old was then linked to another incident and has since been charged.

Police are investigating other reports beyond the 13 that have resulted in arrests.

More than 40 per cent of notifications sent in are about threatening and offensive behaviour, including verbal abuse and harassment.

Victoria Police Transit Safety Division Inspector Mark Zervaas thanked all those who used the service.

“Every piece of information received has helped us make the network a safer place for all commuters,” he said.

Police urged anyone who has witnessed or experienced unwanted sexual behaviour on Victoria’s public transport network to contact STOPIT.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028

– AAP