Location: Metro – Yellow Line Train to Huntington
Time: Evening Rush Hour (3:30pm-7:30pm)

As I type this, I am searching for words to describe what happened today on my commute home, but I’m going to do my best.

I was taking the Metro home like I normally do, and when I go off at the Chinatown stop to switch to the Huntington train, while I was listening to my podcast and waiting for the next train I felt a man behind me and what I thought was the corner of his bag on my behind. As I got on the crowded train, I noticed he was behind me again, the corner of his bag bumping me. I felt uncomfortable so I scooted up a little but I noticed he scooted up too.

By the next stop, a seat became available and I quickly sat down. He sat down next to me. I didn’t think anything of it until I glanced to my left and there he was pleasuring himself right in front of me. I was speechless. I didn’t know what to do. I looked at him through sunglass covered eyes and he stated right back never once stopping what he was doing. This shit was NOT ok.

I repeated in a quiet voice which got louder, “This man is exposing himself to me!” A woman standing near our seats heard me and frantically began to ask other passengers for the metro police number. The man kept on stroking while they searched for numbers and I sat there with tears of embarrassment and anger rolled down my face.

As we approached the Pentagon I called the metro police but I was unable to get a signal so the operator did not hear me. The man pushed past people in the crowded car and make an exit, I stumbled off the train nearly missing my stop and I stood on the platform crying. I have never felt so powerless in my life. I was violated and there was nothing I could do. The man was gone. Disappearing into a sea of people.

On my ride home I tried to shake it off, but I couldn’t. I blamed myself for wearing snug pants. Maybe I should had a longer coat on. Why was I the target? What made this ok to happen to me? Will I ever ride the Metro again? I’m just full of anger and sadness. When I got home I threw my entire outfit in the trash, and took a long shower which I spent the majority of the time crying hysterically.

I won’t let this ruin my weekend, but I can’t pretend I’m not hurting tremendously. For any of my readers in the DMV the number to call for Metro police is 202-962-2121. Save this number in your phone, as the poster with it is not in every car. With that being said, a glass of wine and mindless television is in order….and definitely some therapy on Monday.

Emphases by CASS.
Submitted 4/8/13 by “Jennifer”

In April, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority launched new ads on sexual harassment & assault on public transit, including this ad on public exposure.

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