Public transport & inappropriate touching

[FatBottomedGal]

This morning on my way into work, a man inappropriately touched me throughout the entire journey. It was only a short tube ride (about 5 minutes) but because it was absolutely packed, there wasn't anywhere I could go to get away from him and I have to admit I'm furious with myself for doing absolutely nothing about it. I completely froze, I didn't even look at him. And then I got off the tube and legged it to work.

I've since reported this to the British Transport Police and am now worried I'm wasting police time by reporting something I don't think they'll be able to solve, but AIBU to think this shouldn't fucking happen. This was a man in a suit, on his way into work, perhaps after leaving his wife and family at home. ARGH it just makes me so ANGRY.

Also if anyone has something like this happen you can report to BTP by text on 61016. They are quick to respond and if they can get an officer on to your train they will.

That's terrible OP...good on you for reporting him though.
My mother saw a man rubbing against a 14 year old girl on a bus last year. The girl was frozen in the window seat, so my mother went over and told her to get up and come and sit with her, then bollocked the guy. It's easier when it's not happening to you directly.

That advert is really encouraging, thanks Isabella - and to everyone else saying I was right to report it!

Even though I would consider the event reasonably minor in comparison to what has happened to other people, I can't get it out of my head today and I just wish I'd have looked at him so I could keep an eye out for him in future and kick him in the nuts

British Transport Police had a campaign recently to encourage people to report this, so YWNBU. Its sexual assault.
Theres a phone number for them here;
www.btp.police.uk/advice_and_information/how_we_tackle_crime/project_guardian.aspx

OP I'm so sorry this happened to you. You have absolutely done the right thing in reporting it since it is actually a serious crime. TfL have been running a Report It To Stop It campaign for most of this year in an effort to stamp out this type of crime which I imagine has always been quite common but we just didn't know how widespread. I've seen some really idiotic sensationalist news reports recently saying things like "sexual assaults increased on the tube". Er no, Reports of assaults may have increased but the number of assaults hopefully haven't. Please don't feel you are wasting anyone's time. X

Yes this happened to me too. It was so inappropriate. I froze and didn't report it. Everyone around me saw what happened (think hand up skirt). With a busy morning commute, everyone keeps to themselves and no one really talks to each other, so there's a lot of options for someone to be abusive like that. Sorry it happened. You do eventually get over it.

OP I'm so sorry this happened to you, you absolutely did the right thing reporting it.

Years ago when I was 16 I went to a barbecue in London and was on the tube home around 6pm. It was Sunday so not as many people around. This man kept staring and moving seats closer to me. I got up and stood by the door but then he came and stood opposite me and used the lurch of the tube to'accidently' fall against me pressing me against the wall and groped me. I froze. When the tube stopped again I just ran off the train and up the stairs but saw him also get off. Didn't know where I was and just ran up to the first woman I saw crying and begging for help. She looked at me and walked off. Ended up hiding behind the public toilets. Was too ashamed to tell anyone because of that woman's reaction. magicstar1 your mum sounds like an amazing woman

It actually mortifies me how many people have had this happen to them! I am pleased to report there were no incidents on my tube to work this morning - I was giving my ice-stare to everyone though

I got repeatedly groped and inappropriately touched by a school bus driver in his 50's, from the age of 13 onwards, along with leering and disgusting comments. He did it to other girls too but not to the same extent. I wish I had spoken up back then. OP I hope they catch the creep who assaulted you

Thanks Mumma, she really is. My personal reactions seem to come from my dad though...my first instinct is always to punch the guy in the face. First one when I was fifteen and there have been a few since unfortunately.

This happened to me in my early 20s. I'd always thought of myself as someone who could stand up for herself but I also froze, I just couldn't believe it. As soon as I got off I cried my eyes out and I did call the police, but unfortunately the CCTV hadn't been working so there was nothing they could do, but they were extremely kind and reassured me reporting was the right thing to do. So sorry you've been through this.

This happened to me a couple of years ago on a late evening cross-country train. They were pairs of seats abs he sat on the outside one, trapping me on the inside one. The carriage was almost empty. He tried to make conversation and I politely rebuffed him. He persisted, then grabbed my leg and then my thigh. I froze, completely. I'm a confident, independent woman and yet I froze. I was scared because I couldn't get away. I didn't report it - I didn't think it was important enough. Later I wished I had. If it ever happens to me again, I have the BTP number in my phone and will be on it immediately.