Grabbed on tube but I escalated

[Somemenarewankers]

I'm shaking a bit because I hate confrontation (and also wouldn't have acted the same way if I'd had more than 4 hours sleep).
Got on the tube just before doors closed (not at the beep beep beep) and the bit by the door wasn't too crowded for that time, which was pleasant. However, found myself suddenly standing in between the seats and realised I'd literally been moved there - hand on each shoulder. I don't quite know how he did it, but my shoulders were smarting.
I turned round and saw this enormous man - about 6'7 - staring at me and realised he'd moved me like a lamp. I shouted "You can't touch me!" or something gutters. I've got quite a rough history and the thought of strange men touching me makes me lose my mind.

He started shouting back in my face that I was too close (with insults (whore etc)). I said something then decided to de-escalate, particularly as it was only one stop.

But then I got irate that this man was walking around feeling he could just move women around roughly and shout at them. I did something stupid - tried to take a surreptitious photo. He grabbed my phone and threw it and lunged I think. Other passengers intervened- if you're reading this THANK YOU - especially to the woman who told me where to walk. I needed clear instructions!
So - WIBU to escalate a situation with a clearly unstable man and ruin loads of nice peoples mornings?

You are totally not unreasonable! Please report this to the British transport police and hopefully they can prosecute this bastard. You did NOT ruin anyone's morning - he did that. Hugs

You are only unreasonable if you don’t report the incident to British Transport Police. They are excellent at using CCTV and finding people, and people don’t act like this just once.

@Throckmorton - thank you. Reported on the text service and they replied. Still a bit shaken up and wondering whether distraction (work) is better or whether to have a cry in the loo!

That's just awful and I'm glad people helped you as that's not always the case.

Escalate by all means, it's presumably all captured on cctv.

How frightening. Are you okay?

Fucking jerk. I'm sorry you had to deal with that. How bloody dare he. I almost hope he tries that with the wrong person and they hit him.

Well done on being brave enough to challenge him. How dare he touch you! Report to BTP and London Underground. Hope you feel better later.

Yes please report this incident.

He's an absolute thug, I bet he's done it loads and got away with it due to his size.

There used to be an emergency pull cord on trains just wondered whether it was still there.

I would have a good cry in the loo, and then try to focus on work as a distraction. It's natural to feel very shocked and fragile after something like this.

You were right to report him but don't expect the BTP to do much. They couldn't give a toss when I was repeatedly assaulted by a man

Oh wow did you actually get a photo in the end? Share away!

Thank you, everyone and very very sorry to hear that @Clymene .

I think I'm ok. I did get a photo in the end - recognisable but kind of of his side. I wonder what the bystanders would think. I do still wonder what the "best" way to deal with it would be.

Did you get your phone back? It's a long time since I've used the tube but reporting to the transport police like suggested seems like a good option.

Hope you're ok it sounds scary!

Please never, NEVER use the emergency pull cord for this sort of situation.

It should be used for a fire, or something trapped in the doors only.
Why? Because all it does is apply the brakes.
The driver then needs to hoik back XX carriages (after telephoning the signaller, and then their control, before leaving the cab) to reset it and release the brakes.

OP, YANBU, well done on challenging it; and having the presence of mind to get a photo. Even if he’s not completely identifiable, his clothing etc will be so he can be traced on CCTV.

Horrible experience op, hope you’re ok. Anyone who’s going to start on you like that is clearly not right in the head.

You were right to report him but don't expect the BTP to do much. They couldn't give a toss when I was repeatedly assaulted by a man

Sadly my experience too. They were swift to take up my case, obtained crystal clear pictures of the guys who did me over, yet were unable to find them. The next time I used the same train, the same guys were on it so they obviously didn’t look very hard at all.

Please never, NEVER use the emergency pull cord for this sort of situation.

Thats interesting. It's exactly the sort of thing I thought it WAS there for.

But I haven't seen them for a while anyway and wondered whether they were still there.

DenholmElliot1 · Today 10:09
Please never, NEVER use the emergency pull cord for this sort of situation.

Thats interesting. It's exactly the sort of thing I thought it WAS there for.

But I haven't seen them for a while anyway and wondered whether they were still there.“

not much point: it would stop the train and you’re then stuck there with a nutter, as well as holding everyone else up.
far more sensible to get to the next station where you can seek help, surely?

Someone pulled the emergency cord when I was attacked. It meant the btp were waiting for us at the next station. Where they had a brief chat with my assailant who smirked at me throughout and then let him go. They spent ages taking my statement, by which time the last tube had gone, so then I had to get a taxi home which cost me £15.

Not a very positive experience all round.

So sorry this happened to you. Definitely make a report and if you have pain tomorrow (being physically manoeuvred by someone’s brute strength can be pretty hard on the body - I’ve got long term jaw issues from a jerk doing something similar to me)

Oh dear, misinformation there!

If you pull the emergency cord the train will continue on to the next station and there will be staff ready on the platform. It will not stop in a tunnel to leave whoever is endangered/ having a medical episode to stew.

Then you end up stuck in a tunnel in a potentially dangerous situation.

Ppl are gonna push and shove on the tube.. especially if you get on a train and stand in the way..

Thanks @HeleenaHandcart - I didn't think it stopped violently leaving you trapped with your attacker but as I say, it's been a while.

I would 100% say pull the emergency cord.

Absolutely the right thing to do to stand up for yourself and report. And I'm so sorry to hear you had to experieince that.

Unfortunately I also can confirm the BTP may not do alot about it. My teenage daughter was physically and verbally assaulted on the train and then the platform by a man. She was traveling alone and very clearly looked like a child. CCTV in the train and on the platform. I reported as soon as I saw her, as she was too shook up to think what to do. They seemed to take it very seriously to start with, then nothing.

But, thats even more reason for women to report every single time. Lets hope eventually they start actually finding and prosecuting these disgusting entitled men.