Watch: ‘I Froze, Paralysed By Fear And Confusion’ – Woman Alleges Man Sat Next To Her On Bus And Started Masturbating
A woman opened up about how she “felt violated” by the indecent acts of a stranger during her morning commute.
The woman, who for reasons of privacy and safety asked to remain anonymous, got in contact with the newsroom, understandably distraught.
She explained how on Thursday, 28th November, she boarded a morning bus, which at the time was crowded, ultimately leading her to sit in the rear seats.
“During the journey, I noticed a man change his seat multiple times, but I was preoccupied and didn’t think much of it,” she explained, “As the bus began to empty out, the man suddenly sat next to me.”
The woman continued by describing how the man was “moving excessively” and staring at her in ways that made her uncomfortable. It was not long before she noticed that the movements being made by the man were in fact him masturbating beside her.
“I froze, paralysed by fear and confusion,” she shared, “The only reaction I managed was to take out my phone and record him. When he realised, he tried to cover himself.”
In the first few seconds of the footage, as the camera was pointed at the man, he promptly attempted to conceal his erection. However, shortly after, he rang the bell and got off on the next stop. As he got up it was evident what he was doing prior to the video being recorded.
“In that moment, I shouted at him, calling him out for his disgusting actions. He tried to deny it, but I told him I had recorded everything,” she continued.
The woman explained how in the moment she “felt frozen and violated” by the fears of the unpredictable. She feared of what would happen should she had confronted him earlier, if he would hurt her or even worse.
Despite her distress, the woman found comfort in another female passenger, a moment she described as one “of solidarity that I deeply appreciated, but it also highlighted how unsafe I and so many others feel in such situations.”
Lovin Malta reached out to Malta Public Transport for a statement regarding the incident. It said “We condemn this behaviour and we always cooperate with police investigations on the matter.”
However, the woman explained how she feared of facing the man again, should she inform the authorities, hence her hesitance to do so. Rather, she contacted the newsroom with the hopes that her story could reach people who faced similar experiences.
“No one should experience such a violation…To anyone who might face a similar situation, I urge you to speak up, alert the bus driver immediately, and ensure the perpetrator is reported and held accountable. Silence allows these people to continue their actions, and together, we can make a difference.”
“As victims, we must find the courage to act and to warn others. We are not alone. And to those who commit these horrific acts: you will be exposed, and justice will find you,” she concluded.
More than one in five people aged 18 to 74 in Malta have experienced sexual or physical violence, according to the National Statistics Office.
22.9% of individuals experience physical or sexual violence during their lifetime, with statistics acknowledging that women are more likely to be subject to such abuse across the board.
If you or anyone you know have faced sexual harassment or violence, contact the 179 helpline or feel free to reach out to us in confidence.
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