sexual misconduct (?) on the Q train

maykay · July 2010

Hi All - I'm just writing for some advice (and also to give people a heads up). Two nights ago on the Q from Manhattan to Brooklyn around 10pm a man was masturbating on the subway. He pulled his shirt over his crotch area and went at it, sitting right next to people (it was a fairly full train). At first I couldn't quite believe I was seeing what I was seeing... then realized everyone else seemed to be somewhat shocked and disgusted. He got off the train at Atlantic.

I feel horrible because I didn't do anything. I was quite thrown, emotionally, cause it was really disturbing. Also, he looked unwell and there's always that fear that perhaps if they will masturbate on a subway in public, they might also have mental problems or be carrying a weapon, etc...who knows? So I know it was likely smart to not confront him. But are his actions officially illegal? He wasn't exposing himself, but it was obvious what he was doing. Should I have taken a picture of him and reported him? I'm feeling bad about how I didn't really do anything to stop it and thought I'd get more info in case (god forbid) it happens again.

xlizellx · July 2010

I hate that I just Googled "Is it illegal to masturbate in NYC?"

But here's what I found.

....A new ruling out of federal court in Brooklyn seems to indicate that masturbating in public is totally legal in New York state -- you know, as long as you keep your wanking out of view of that public.....

http://www.asylum.com/2010/06/15/asylum-investigates-when-is-it-legal-to-masturbate-in-public-joseph-tesoriere/

BUT - it wasn't totally out of the public view since you saw his masturbating - you just didn't see his nakedness..

I think that in the US that would be if nothing else sexual harassment (if he looked at someone else) or lewd public acts.

http://nyunews.com/news/2009/12/01/harassment/

This NYU article says you should take a pic if you can and send it in...but i don't know more than that.

jeffrey · July 2010

Any of the following look familiar?

There was someone a couple of years ago that snapped a cell-phone camera picture of a guy doing the same thing, which later lead to his identification and arrest.

Ah yes, here he is:

http://gothamist.com/2005/08/24/saw_something_said_something.php
http://gothamist.com/2005/09/01/suspected_subway_pleasurer_arrested.php

Another guy busted in NYC in 2007 with the same last name as the guy above, busted again last year in LA:

http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-subway-fiend,0,1805286.story

Oh wait, here's another guy from last year:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2009/08/14/2009-08-14_subway_pervs_defense_to_cops_my_private_parts_fell_out.html
http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local&id=6964042

pitu · July 2010

http://hollabacknyc.blogspot.com/

HollabackNYC! wrote:
Holla Back NYC empowers New Yorkers to Holla Back at street harassers. Whether you're commuting, lunching, partying, dancing, walking, chilling, drinking, or sunning, you have the right to feel safe, confident, and sexy, without being the object of some turd's fantasy. So stop walkin' on and Holla Back: Send us pics of street harassers!

Submit Your Photos!
Add [email protected] to your cellphone and send pics straight to Holla Back NYC

HollabackNYC is now also accepting video submissions: Catch that jerk with your video phone or do journalistic style feature on Street Harassment and we'll post it!

maykay · July 2010

Thanks all for all the info - next time I'll take a pic for sure (sadly, no, he isn't any of the ones picture above). He was a thin, young African American man. And thank you, xlizellx, for your hilarious yet informative Google search.

halfpint · July 2010

I hate that shit. Once a guy was jerking off on the subway platform across from me (waiting for train going in opposite direction). He was wearing a sharp suit (it was down on Wall. St.) and had a Wall St. Journal folded across his arm partially shielding him. He did a loud "pssst!" to get my attention and show me. I started screaming "you fucking pervert!" and pointing at him and he started walking away (into a more crowded part of the platform). I kept screaming to the people "Do you see that guy right there? Stop him! He was just jerking off on the platform!" and he scurried away. I wish somebody had punched him in the cock. Seriously.

stooplady · July 2010

One thought...I refuse to let ANY type of perpetrator/predator, etc., make ME feel bad. I will not feel bad because someone with a mental illness, be it pulling down trees or jerking off in public, decides this is his/her mission in life at the moment. I didn't do anything wrong...and neither did you.

sexual misconduct (?) on the Q train

Comments

Howdy, Stranger!

Categories