Carey’s story: Violated on the bus
This morning I was part of a very large crowd that boarded the M104 bus at 97th Street and Broadway. The bus was packed, but I got lucky and snagged an aisle seat. Shortly after I sat down, a man came and stood directly to my right and repeatedly rubbed his erect penis against my shoulder as people squeezed through the aisle behind him.
It took me a moment to realize what was going on. My first thought was that his uncomfortable closeness was just due to the crowded condition on the bus, so I was just going to have to look the other way and deal with it. Then I realized that his penis was rubbing on me and that it was erect. I thought, “Maybe he doesn’t realize what’s happening either and it’s unintentional.” After a few more seconds of that, I started freaking out and stood up and moved to the front of the bus, at which point the perpetrator exited through the doors at the back of the bus. That’s when I knew it hadn’t been unintentional.
I should have called 911 right then and there, but I was still processing what happened, and by the time I figured it out it was too late. I called my local police precinct when I got to my office, but the officer said that I should have called 911 immediately when it happened. Now this creep will get to assault some other victim.
Unfortunately I didn’t get a great look at the guy, since I was too busy trying to look away and pretend like it wasn’t happening, but what I do know is that he’s a black guy who appeared to be in his early 30s, with a slim, athletic build, wearing grey sweatpants and a black jacket. Keep an eye out, and if he or any other person does this sort of thing to you, don’t make the same mistake I did. Call 911 immediately.
One Response
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Hey Carey,
I know that it’s easy to feel like you made a mistake but I encourage you to not put any blame on yourself. Regardless of what you did or did not do, he had no right to harass you and that’s the bottom line. Stay strong; we’ve got your back.