Alert the flight stewardess of any lewd behavior
Flying solo? Stay alert to strangers in the cabin
Three days ago, a Moroccan teenager pleaded guilty to outraging the modesty of a woman on an Etihad Airways flight from Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, to Kuala Lumpur.
It was stated in court that during the flight, the boy’s right hand accidentally touched the woman’s left thigh. Initially, she did not suspect anything, but the act occurred repeatedly. The woman later felt the boy rub her thigh up to her buttocks. Despite moving away, he deliberately moved closer, resting his head on her arm and pretending to sleep. She pushed him away and informed a stewardess, who advised her to lodge a report upon arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
Outraging the modesty of a woman is a form of sexual misconduct. Both terms involve actions of a sexual nature that are unwelcome. Legally, outraging the modesty of a woman includes assault or use of criminal force, such as pulling a woman, removing her clothing, or making inappropriate requests for sexual favours. Sexual misconduct, on the other hand, is a broader term encompassing behaviors like harassment, unwanted touching, exposure, and other actions causing distress or done without consent.
Yes, sexual misconduct is a crime, and it can occur during a flight. It includes lewd, indecent, or obscene acts, as well as indecent exposure.
As narrated in a previous article on unruly passengers, I once dealt with such an incident on a Boeing 777 flight from Kuala Lumpur to Frankfurt. A flight attendant reported that a drunken passenger had been flashing at her when no one was watching. Despite warnings, he persisted in his lewd behavior.
The man, an exhibitionist, deliberately exposed himself, possibly fantasizing that it might arouse the flight attendant. However, his actions led to a different outcome. We informed Frankfurt Airport’s flight operations about the situation, and upon landing, security escorted him off the plane and took him into custody.
Solo flyers should remain vigilant and take precautions to stay safe. For instance, keeping the armrest down can act as a barrier. If you are a victim of sexual misconduct, ask to be moved to another seat or report the behaviour to the flight crew immediately.
For children flying alone, reserving an aisle seat can help ensure their safety. Assailants often sit next to their victims, using the proximity to their advantage. Victims are frequently in middle or window seats, with offenders blocking their exit by sitting on the aisle.
While the number of sexual assaults onboard aircraft remains low, such incidents are sometimes under reported. When reported, they are investigated thoroughly, and perpetrators are charged to ensure safer skies for all passengers.
Staying aware and proactive can help prevent these unfortunate incidents, making air travel a safer experience for everyone.
For more on the above story, read here https://www.nst.com.my/news/crime-courts/2024/12/1151002/moroccan-teen-pleads-guilty-outraging-modesty-woman-plane#:~:text=SEPANG%3A%20A%2016%2Dyear%2D,to%20Kuala%20Lumpur%20on%20Wednesday.