I was sexually harassed

“...I felt something touch my crotch. But I thought it was a bag. Until that thing continued to be abrasive. It was as if his crotch was being rubbed so he turned his body to the side. But due to the crowded conditions on the passenger boat at 5:00 p.m. after work Makes it impossible to move away much As soon as we got off the boat, we were followed so much that we immediately had to get on the bus to go home. I don't think this will happen because I'm a man. And the other party is also a man..."

Sexual harassment today has no gender limits. Regardless of gender, people can be harassed or harassed. By 45% occurs on public transport. Whether it is a tour bus, bus, taxi, electric train, passenger boat, airplane, etc.

Sexual harassment also known as Sexual harassment  refers to actions or expressions in a sexual way. Both directly and indirectly through the use of eyes, gestures, sounds, words, bodies, or communication through various channels, causing those who are targeted to feel distressed, uncomfortable, dissatisfied, and feel unsafe. This can happen during rush hour when there are a lot of passengers. or when there are few passengers day and night It can also occur near bus stops, platforms, bus terminals, ports, bus stations, or airports.

What is sexual harassment?

1. Visual harassment or gestures such as staring at body Use your eyes to caress. Make gestures that symbolize the sexual organs. sexual desire or sexual intercourse
2. verbal harassment such as whistling, teasing, flirtatious talk. Talk like a dog teases a chicken Talk in two ways, make dirty jokes, or invite people to talk in a way that makes the listener uncomfortable, such as asking about personal matters. Alluding to appearance and dress. Invite people to talk about sex, either overheard or directly to the person being targeted.
3. Physical harassment There are many levels of severity. From touching the body, touching, caressing, embracing, kissing, using any part of the body to touch and rub. Including following, stalking, showing off genitals. Masturbate for others to see. Or it may be violent to the point of attempted rape. or rape
4. harassment through communication channels or create an uncomfortable environment regarding sex, such as secretly taking photos of other passengers. Take a picture of a spoon under your skirt or breasts. Show the pictures, video clips, or pornographic movies on your mobile phone to others.

Example of an event

“...I once had a man squeeze my crotch while sitting on the bus..." Khun P. Pseudonym tells about the experience of being sexually assaulted on the bus. While sitting on the bus using the phone, he felt something rubbing on his shoulder. When he looked up, he saw that the woman in front of him was signaling with her eyes that she was being harassed. Until the man got out of the car. So we found out that he rubbed the crotch of his pants on his shoulder because he found white stains. It's the point of his shirt. Khun P was not aware of that event. As a result, there was no reaction in any way.

Another one of being harassed on the electric train Khun Roj. The fictitious name  recounted the events that happened on the electric train. He stood next to the door and turned to look at the view. After that, he was pressed from behind and felt the crotch being pressed against his own butt. Upon contact, an erection occurred in the other party. Combined with his breathing that began to increase until he could hear “...at that time I was shocked and couldn't do anything. When the train stopped, he hurried down and composed himself. Because I didn't think that something would happen to me. Even if you know when to shout for help or tell them to stop. But when I actually encountered it, my consciousness wasn't with me..."Mr. Roj told me about it. Ready to tell everyone to be mindful when faced with a situation like this

, even though everyone knows what to do when threatened. but with shyness Including there is no clear evidence. This makes them not dare to take any action. In addition, when the actual event occurs, many people tend to be unconscious. Makes it impossible to decide what to do

5 ways to do it when encountering a sexual harassment situation

1. Use your voice by shouting out. Invite people around you to see and question your behavior
2. notify the authorities. Have the staff on the bus help arrange
3. Insert yourself by walking in and standing in the middle. To create a barrier between the harasser and the threatened
4. , pretend that you know by going to greet them as if you were a friend. and invite people to talk until the threatening person backs away.
5. Take a clip to use as evidence of the incident.

From the above experience Many people often don't know what to do. Including when faced with a threatening person, they are often shocked to the point of not knowing how to deal with the threat. As for how to survive being sexually harassed, you can do the following:

How to protect yourself from sexual harassment

1. Be mindful. and show that you are aware and do not consent
2. to get up and walk away from your seat.
3. Call for help from those around you.

If you are threatened with violence, use a flashlight, pen, or water bottle to protect yourself. Please use this method as a last resort. and is used in cases where the perpetrator uses force or is cornered.

Summary

Many victims do not dare to open their mouths. Some people are afraid and embarrassed. Or don't know what to do? To the end, I felt paranoid every time I had to use public transportation. Although we all have the right to live in a safe city (Rights to the City), traveling by public bus service It should also be done safely. Let's join forces for a society that is pleasant and safe to live in. Don't be silent. Don't be silent because being sexually harassed may happen to you.

Illustration from the internet.
Some information from the Taro Handbook by the Safe Cities Network for Women
Interviewed by a person who was sexually harassed on public transportation

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