Combating subway harassment

CAS senior Linda Chen is a pretty calm person, but when she gets on the 6 train for school each day, that changes.

"I get really paranoid now because of the times when I'd be inappropriately touched," she said.

Chen is one of many victims of public sexual harassment in the city's subway. There have been 587 reports of sexual offenses in the subway system so far this year, mainly on the Lexington Avenue 4, 5 and 6 lines, according to Charles Seaton, a spokesman for New York City Transit.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has recently increased efforts to combat the illegal behavior that brings on train-riding anxiety like Chen's. As part of the MTA's SubTalk campaign, the city is increasing public-service announcements against sexual harassment and distributing anti-groping posters and brochures. The MTA will also increase automated messages in subway stations warning against assaults, Seaton said.

"We're working closely with the NYPD. There are more officers stationed at the stations especially during rush hours," Seaton said. "If there are incidents of sexual harassment, we want the victims to feel free to approach those officers or an MTA authority."

Seaton also said the NYPD is working on a pilot program that would enable victims to send snapshots of harassers to police officers, who can investigate the case even after the harasser has slipped away into a crowd.

Irma Rivera-Duffy, the special victims liaison in NYU's Department of Public Safety, approves of the protocol.

"As a kid growing up and riding the subway everyday, these situations have happened to me so many times," she said. "Back then, women felt embarrassed by it. I think it's a great idea that people are being encouraged to speak out."

But Rivera-Duffy also advised against being too paranoid.

"Do know the difference when someone is rubbing against you for sexual gratification versus by accident. If you feel uncomfortable, let them be aware of it," she said.

Ritchell Zaman, 32, a regular commuter on the 6 train, hopes the MTA doesn't overdo the advertising.

"I don't want women to think I'm coming onto them when I'm not," he said while looking at a new anti-harassment poster. "Sometimes the train is just really crowded. Everybody is pushed against everybody else."

This past summer, two NYU students reported a case of sexual assault on the subway, Rivera-Duffy said. A man had asked the girls to take a photograph of him and then promptly flashed them as they held the camera.

In cases where students report sexual assault to Public Safety, they are referred to the Wellness Exchange and encouraged to file a police report.

But sexual harassment isn't limited to physical advances, Rivera-Duffy said.

CAS freshman Caralynn Lippo, who takes the D train every day, said she has been verbally assaulted several times before. She said the passengers nearby witnessed the scene but neither interfered nor showed signs of acknowledgment.

Chen said she witnessed an incident in which a man masturbated while looking at another passenger on the train.

"It was really uncomfortable, even for me. The girl went to another cart at the next stop," Chen said.

Victims of subway sexual harassment should call the NYPD's Sex Crimes Report Line at 212.267.RAPE.