Forcibly groped on a crowded central line tube this morning.
New submission from Mary
I got on the tube at Bethnal Green this morning on my way to work. The carriage was full and it seemed like I was the last person who could squeeze on. A youngish Chinese man in a smart business suit jumped on after me though. He was very close to me and I suddenly felt his hand between my legs. His coat was draped over his arm, as if to cover what he was doing. I quickly turned my back to him, to get away and to signal that I knew what he was doing. His hand promptly squirrelled round, though, and he groped at me forcibly. I shuddered and moved away into the carriage but he chased me with his hand, feeling my bum roughly. When I was far enough away so as to be safe, I started kicking at his ankles. I kicked him all the way to the next stop. He did nothing and made no eye contact. A girl next to me gave me a funny look, so I said loudly, “Sorry, this guy just felt me up” and pointed at him. Several people in the carriage heard. When we got to the next stop, Liverpool Street, I gave him a little push off the tube. I’m sure he would have left anyway, but I wanted to victimise him like he victimised me.
I wish I’d taken a photo of him, but didn’t think of it at the time.
3 Responses
Author comments are in a darker gray color for you to easily identify the posts author in the comments
That is a horrible story. I am amazed that some people can perform and pursue such a course of action.
You were right to annouce what he did but iof course people will most likely not get involved for fear of being stabbed or similar. many will assume the indicent is “domestic” expecially if it lets them off getting involved.
I actually am concerned that this site openly publishes all stories like this without some review. I believe that far form discouraging actions, such stories my embolden perpetrators becasue the tale illustrates how they will not be stopped.
I like to think that had I seen the incident I might have done something like stood in his way by accident or tried to use a distracting technique, but I also know to my cost from experience that getting involved can be very dangerous.
Pat, perpetrators know that it is extremely, extremely rare that they won’t get away with it. I would say 2% of cases. And women do as well (read the stats on the right 80-90% of women have been harassed). This webpage aims to show just how endemic the situation is.
I was wondering, if this happens in the Tube, is there a way of effectively turning the person over to security?
I take the central line most mornings from Bethnal Green and I’m shocked this happened. Normally I feel really safe there, despite how crowded it can be – in fact, I normally feel safe on the underground in general. Sorry this happened to you and well done for sticking up for yourself. Maybe he’ll think twice before doing this again.