Twelve year old DD felt up on the Tube

[Obamallama]

Last night my DD was travelling home from school on the Undeeground as normal. She says a man sat down next to her and a minute later she felt his hand on her leg. She was wearing a PE which was a skort and quite short.

She froze and his hand went toward her inner thigh. Her thought was to try and get off at the next stop but thankfully a woman opposite her saw what was happening and said “get off her”. The man then got up and got walked down the Tube, jumping off at the next stop.

DD can’t remember what he looked like so we can’t report it.

My question is what should she do if this happens again? I have suggested that as long as others are nearby she should stand up and loudly shout “This man is a stranger and he just touched me.” But in all honesty I’m not sure she would do that. I then suggested just getting up and moving to a seat next to a woman. What would be your advice?

I hate that we live in a world where a twelve year old girl must be briefed in this way :-(

Your poor daughter! And poor you. This is disgusting. Definitely report it, I really hope they catch him and he gets his comeuppance. Maybe she could say a firm “No” and stand up, it doesn’t have to be loud. Right, I’m vowing to keep an eye on young kids on the tube now when I see them alone. Glad the woman passenger stuck up for her.

Will there be CCTV from the tube or station he got off at?

I would advise her to say loudly 'hands off' and then move away, get off at next stop, report to member of staff. It is hard at 12 to speak up I fully get that so the other option is to say something to the neatest woman.

Although we don't speak or make eye contact usually on the tube most women would help, even just saying to the nearest woman 'this man is bothering me' gives her an ally and someone to step in if need be. I know I would.

Nearest! Neatest 😒

It's possible that the woman who helped your DD has already reported it, and if you also report it then the police may be able to connect the two and investigate.

I also think it might help to report it to the police even if nothing comes of it. It makes it clear that it's a crime and that if the police do find him, there will be consequences.

It’s better to report it to the police. I witnessed a crime once and couldn’t remember anything, but the police were able to get me to remember a lot of information about what happened. They are very good like that.

Sex offenders rely on compliant victims. Teach her to make as much noise and draw as much attention as possible. At her age I would tell her to stand up and yell at the top of her voice paedo. Words like pervert, sex creep etc are also good. I know it’s unpalatable but it draws the most attention whilst also communicating to people nearby what is wrong and how they can help. Your poor DD. I hope she’s ok.

Report to British Transport Police
Report to school

Tell her to stand up and say loudly, "Get off me!" or "Don't touch me!" No need for her to mention that she's a child as that implies it's ok to touch an adult woman (which she will be one day) inappropriately.

If none of the other adults in the carriage act when she does this, pull the emergency cord, or ask the nearest adult woman to do so.
Stay on the train in case he follows her off.

Report, report, report every single time. Make sure she knows he is in the wrong, not her.

I was brought up thinking Santa was the delivery guy too.

Sorry, wrong thread.

Tell her it is ok to make a fuss in this situation as that is what these guys hate. I was waiting in a line to get off the train and a guy felt my bum. I was 16 and I grabbed his hand and held it high in the air and shouted ‘excuse me has anyone lost this I just found it stuck to my arse!’ A couple of big blokes gave him the evil eye and he slopes off. I hope it frightened him enough not to do it again.