It's interesting that by the time this article appeared, the feminists were no longer concerned about 'equal opportunities' but about 'equality'. What they mean by this change isn't explained.
The Daily Telegraph 23 April 2003
Cabbies to be trained to help women fleeing domestic violence
By Sarah Womack, Social Affairs Correspondent
Taxi drivers will receive compulsory training in helping victims of domestic violence, the Government says today. The idea, from the Women and Equality Unit, comes amid fears that the Government is not being "creative" enough in reducing domestic abuse.
Ministers want to capitalise on the confessional atmosphere of a taxi by encouraging women fleeing violent husbands to confide in the driver. For their part, cab drivers will be issued with a checklist to carry out if they encounter battered wives.
They must ensure the person is all right and take them to a police station or hospital, if they want to go, or give the number of a helpline. All cab drivers must carry helpline numbers for refuges or other services.
Three hundred cabs in London will carry domestic violence warnings on tip-up seats and all new cab drivers across Britain will receive "awareness-raising" training at the end of training courses.
Although cab drivers have reputations as talkers, Barbara Roche, the deputy women's minister, said she was not asking them to be "counsellors".
They should provide information to women in a "safe and discreet" way and "send a message to society that domestic violence can no longer be tolerated or ignored".
She added: "By the nature of their job, cab drivers may encounter women at risk."
Assistant Chief Constable Jim Gamble, of the National Crime Squad, said: "Two women a week die at the hands of a partner or ex-partner and police receive a call for help over domestic violence every minute." Domestic violence often started or began during pregnancy.
Acknowledgement : The Daily Telegraph, 23 April 2003
Comment : cabbies see their job as ferrying people from A to B, not counselling them. Can you imagine many cabbies wanting to co-operate with this ?