How to Help Prevent Sexual Assault on Flights
Journalist Joanna Chiu recently witnessed what many went through: a creepy guy who made creepy comments to a girl who got stuck next to him in flight.
In this case, Chiu says that the girl was a teenager who was separated from the rest of the family, which made it easier for the man to chat with her, tease her and eventually ask her for a dirty photo.
You might think that close proximity of an aircraft would be a deterrent to sexual harassment and assailants, but according to the FBI , sexual assault on board aircraft is on the rise – or at least more reported. Passengers need to be aware of the risks in order to protect themselves and those around them.
Do not disclose personal information
No matter how friendly the beginning of a conversation seems, you may inadvertently reveal something about yourself that makes you a bigger target.
Tammy Yard-McCracken, owner of Personal Defense Industries in Virginia and a certified conflict resolution instructor, told the New York Times that passengers should be mindful of what they are telling strangers.
“Everything you say is information,” she said. “People don’t think about what they are saying in a relaxed social setting.”
She recalled overhearing a woman telling her neighbor that the previous six months had been difficult due to the divorce. “This is information for target hunters,” she said.
Keep the armrest down
It is difficult to create at least some semblance of “personal space” on an airplane. However, if you are sitting next to a stranger, you can create something like a barrier – keeping the armrest down at all times, no matter how harmless they seem.
End unwanted conversation
If you start to feel like you’re trapped in a conversation that I don’t like, stop it. Creepy people – or would-be attackers – don’t exactly take the hints, so you need to act quickly and directly.
Pull out a book, tablet, or laptop and tell them you need to catch up. Carry headphones with you while in flight so you can slip them in and pretend to listen to music or podcasts if needed.
Know the risk factors
The FBI reports that most attacks occur with women and unaccompanied minors, especially those who sit in the middle or by the window when they sleep and are covered with a blanket or jacket. In particular, for a child traveling alone, try to reserve an aisle seat that will be more visible to the flight attendants as well as other passengers.
Try to stay alert
FBI Special Agent David Gates advises against combining alcohol with sleeping pills or other medications, as this increases the risk of an attack. “Don’t drive yourself crazy with alcohol or drugs,” he says.
Pay attention to behavior
If someone touches you in an unwanted way, ask them to stop. Offenders often aim at their victims to see how they react. Immediately answer something like, “Please don’t touch my leg.” If the problem persists, you can warn them, for example, “Stop touching me or I’ll call the flight attendant.” Or, as former correctional officer and self-defense writer Rory Miller said in the Times , you can get the attention of those around you:
“If you just say it loudly enough for everyone to look at you, ‘Hey you pervert, keep your hands off me,” he said, “everyone is watching and keeps watching. “Pervert” is the magic word for self-defense. “
If the contact persists, notify the flight attendant by pressing the call button or walking out of your seat to find it. Flight attendants can move you to a safer location and can often notify law enforcement in advance to await interrogation of the intruder when the plane lands.
If you see something, say something
A person who is being harassed or attacked may be too scared, embarrassed, or confused to speak for themselves. Pay close attention to what is happening around you on the plane; if you see someone stuck in an awkward or unwanted situation, call this.
Joanna Chiu initially wanted to sleep during the flight, but when she heard warning calls in a conversation between a thirty-year-old man and a teenage girl, she remained vigilant. When he leaned closer to her to ask her for a “dirty photo”, Chiu says that she “turned around and whispered angrily what I was thinking about it.”
Another woman behind the girl also spoke out in support, telling her that she could change seats. Pay attention to the warning signs that other passengers are vulnerable and don’t be afraid to intervene.