Aug 6, 2008 7:00 pm US/Eastern
NYC Transit Plans Anti-Groping Campaign
As Many As 2,000 Awareness Posters Will Be Posted Around Subways Starting In September
Study: 63 Percent Of Women Say They Have Been Assaulted
Reporting
Cindy Hsu
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Crowded subways are nothing new in New York City, but what is new -- and alarming -- are the number of women who claim they are groped and sexual harassed while they wait for a train. You'll soon see a poster like this underground.
CBS
For years countless women have had to put up with sexual harassment on the subway, from lewd comments to groping on a crowded train.
Now the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is about to launch a new campaign to crack down on the problem.
A packed train can be a nightmare for women.
"If guys get too close and start rubbing up against you it's just gross," subway rider Nicole Saulter said.
"You'll feel them pushing up on you with their lower part of the body and they'll stay there," Ivy Soto added.
The agency expects to distribute 2,000 posters throughout the subway system that tell people who are sexually harassed on trains to report it to an employee or police officer.
A study by Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer last year found 63 percent of women surveyed reported being sexually harassed while on subways and another 10 percent said they were sexually assaulted.
The study also found that 69 percent of the women surveyed reported they had felt the threat of sexual assault or harassment while on the city subway system.
So starting next month, riders will see posters on the trains that say "Sexual Harassment is a Crime in the subway, too," and to report it to an MTA employee or police officer. The MTA is even considering putting the ads on the back of every MetroCards. Self-defense expert Jen Sung said the problem is that most women are so shocked they do nothing.
"They just ignore it or they whisper very quietly,' Don't do that.' Or they won't look at the person and look down," Sung said.
Sung said it's time for women to take control.
"You look them straight in the face. You let them know that you're not afraid and be loud. Say, 'Listen, you're way too close. Back off,'" Sung said.
If that doesn't work and you feel threatened, she said give them a sharp nudge in the stomach with your elbow. If you're facing them, plant one foot in front of the other for balance, and shove their shoulders back.
"And push with your entire might," Sung added.
While it's good to know the moves, Sung said self defense is only 10 percent physical and 90 percent awareness.
Sung said a lot of women feel if they're quiet, looking down and not bothering anyone, they won't be targeted. She said the opposite is true, so it's important to be confident on the train. Stand up straight, make eye contact with people and don't be distracted by headphones, cell phones or keeping your nose buried in a book.
The MTA campaign kicks off in September. It's similar to one started in Boston that has more than doubled the number of sexual harassment reports.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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