Beware: the commuter sex crime
sex attacks,sexual assault,what to do if you\'ve been sexually assaulted
girl standing on tube alone
According to police, it’s actually during daylight hours that you’re most vulnerable to minor sexual offences. That’s because attackers can disguise what they’re doing and are less likely to arouse suspicion if there are lots of people around. \r\nTo find out how many Company readers had had similar experiences, we carried out an online survey and were shocked to find that one in ten of you feel unsafe on your way to and from work. Plus, nearly half of you say you’ve been a victim of some kind of sexual offence, whether that’s a stranger pinching your bum, exposing himself, or grabbing your crotch. But, despite the fact that they’re incredibly common, according to the British Transport Police (BTP), minor sexual offences are actually the least-reported crimes.
So why aren’t we complaining more? \r\nIf our survey is anything to go by, it’s because 41% of you didn’t think there was anything the police could do, while 12% just wanted to forget all about it.
\r\nIt’s also easy to think you may be over-reacting, and to wonder if, well, it might have just been an accident? Police are keen to reassure women that they will take every sexual offence seriously, and by coming forward and reporting them, you might help prevent it happening to someone else.
\r\nHere\'s a guide to what to look out for and what to do if it happens to you.\r\n
1. Up-Skirting or Down-Blousing
sex attacks,sexual assault,what to do if you\'ve been sexually assaulted
pair of legs and black skirt
This is when an attacker tries to take a picture up your skirt on public transport or when it\'s busy so that it\'s not obvious what they\'re doing. Nearly 10% of you have a friend who’s been up-skirted, but experts believe many women will never find out if they’ve been a victim because attackers are so quick and discreet. Worryingly, there are a growing number of websites where perpetrators can upload their shots and talk about the best ways to target women like you. \r\n\r\n
Up-skirting is such a growing problem that in Japan the law now states that all camera phones must have a shutter sound. “Japan has acted quickly because there was an increase in the number of businessmen up-skirting women on trains,” explains technology expert Kat Hannaford of T3 Magazine. “Hopefully the UK will follow suit, but even if it does, women will need to be on their guard because if it’s busy they might not hear the clicking noise.”
\r\nSo how can you prevent it? “Most up-skirting offences occur on escalators, so be aware of who is behind you,” advises Detective Sergeant Maggie Storey from the BTP’s Indecency Unit. “The offenders don’t necessarily stand on the step immediately behind you, so consider standing sideways on. It would be a brave person to take the chance if you could easily catch them. If caught, offenders can get up to six months imprisonment and a fine.”
2. Dirty Blue-toothing or Blue Jacking
sex attacks,sexual assault,what to do if you\'ve been sexually assaulted
girl looking at a phone, shocked
This is the newest form of sex crime and, although less common, can be extremely upsetting. Blue-jacking occurs when a stranger sends you an unwanted sexual file via the Bluetooth setting on your phone. If your Bluetooth is on, anyone can message you. The scary thing is, to be able to receive the message your attacker will need to be less than ten metres away from you.
\r\n“I didn’t even know my Bluetooth was on,” says Katie, 22, from Salisbury. “The day before, my boyfriend had been sending me ringtones and I was on the train to work when I received a file from Tom, which happens to be my boyfriend’s name, so I accepted. It was a picture of me on the train. I was confused and was looking around for Tom when I received another file. This time it was a picture of a penis – and definitely not Tom’s. I got really scared and rang Tom, who told me to get off the train and wait by the ticket office.”
\r\nThankfully, this kind of attack is easily preventable. “Switch your Bluetooth off as soon as you’ve finished using it,” advises Kat. “And never accept an incoming file from a stranger.”
3. Peeping Toms on Public Transport
sex attacks,sexual assault,what to do if you\'ve been sexually assaulted
Shadow of a man
Nearly 40% of you know someone who’s had a stranger flash at them, while a quarter of you know someone who’s seen someone masturbate in front of them.
\r\nStevie, 20, from Bournemouth, was travelling back from work on the bus when she felt something on her shoulder. “When I turned around I saw that a man had his penis out and was leaning it onto me, almost rubbing himself on me. I screamed at him and he ran off the bus. I was really upset and shocked, especially because the bus was packed. It’s not something you expect to happen on your way home from work.”
\r\nAisha*, 26, from London, had a similar experience on the bus on the way home. “When a man got on and came to sit next to me, I thought it was weird as there were plenty of empty seats. After a while, I thought I could feel him trying to sit closer to me, but wasn’t sure. Eventually I looked down and saw him masturbating through his trousers. I was so shocked, I left the bus. I didn’t think about it at the time, but he could have followed me home, which is really scary.” Our survey showed that 12% of you are reluctant to report experiences like Stevie’s and Aisha’s because you worry there’s no evidence to prove what happened. But DS Storey says that in some cases it may be possible to get DNA from the area the offender has touched, especially if he has kissed the victim or there is any other body fluid. “It is vital that the relevant area isn’t cleaned or wiped,” she explains.\r\n
