Sexual Assaults Aboard Aircrafts: FBI States “Alarming” Increase

When we think of plane rides, we often think of in-flight movies, free snacks, and long naps.

Perhaps even plotting our plan to sit far away from the crying baby.

It’s likely being sexually assaulted on an aircraft full of people is the last thing on your mind. However, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the number of sexual assaults aboard aircrafts increased 66% over the 2014-2017 fiscal years.

The Scope of the Problem

It’s hard to quantify exactly how many people are sexually assaulted on flights each year as neither the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration nor the Transportation Security Administration disclose these numbers, despite valiant efforts. In fact, a bill to “direct the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to collect and maintain data on the number of sexual assaults that occur on aircraft during flights in passenger air transportation”, also known as Protecting Airline Passengers from Sexual Assaults Act, failed to pass through Congress in 2014.

This being said, the FBI, the bureau responsible for investigating aircraft crimes, was quoted to have said there were 38 instances of sexual assault on flights in 2014, 40 in 2015, and 57 in 2016.

In an industry with millions of passengers each year, these numbers seem incredibly low. However, sexual assault incidents often go unreported. In reality, the true number is likely much, much higher. Reasons victims often decline from reporting an assault include feelings of embarrassment, fear of causing a scene, or an attempt to convince themselves the assault wasn’t intentional and instead, a consequence of close quarters.

One particularly disturbing story occurred in 2014, where a man burst into the aircraft’s bathroom and sexually assaulted a woman two hours into the flight, requiring the flight crew and three passengers to unscrew the bathroom door and subdue the man.

Other headlining stories include assaults of unaccompanied minors en route, such as this 13-year-old girl, or ones of a particularly heinous nature, such as this assault perpetrated by a priest.

But these stories are a few of the many assaults that happen every day.

How Sexual Assaults on Planes Happen

Sexual assaults on planes can happen anywhere at any time, but generally transpire on long flights when the passenger cabin is dimmed. Victims are usually seated in the middle or window seats, away from the foot traffic of the aisles, sleeping, and covered by a blanket or article of clothing.

Long flights, particularly overnight flights, rouse the idea of sleeping, which may entice travelers to ingest sleeping pills or drink alcohol. Medication and alcohol in conjunction with a dark passenger cabin and close seating can give the perception of privacy and intimacy, tempting predators to take advantage of a situation.

In this environment, the assaults are often instances of groping while they believe the victim is asleep. While more aggressive assaults do occur, the most common types are often inconspicuous.

According to FBI special agent Caryn Highley, “There is a perception on an airplane that you’re in a bubble of safety”, but in reality, the same people who are on the ground are in the air. It’s important to utilize the same caution and alertness when airborne as with any public mode of transportation.

How to Prevent Airborne Sexual Assault

While anyone can be a victim of in-plane sexual assault, young, unaccompanied minors are the most at risk. To help mitigate the chances of an airborne sexual assault, the following is recommended:

Trust Your Gut

If you don’t feel comfortable when the person sits next to you, there’s probably a reason why. Offenders will often test their potential victim by rubbing or brushing against them to see if they are phased. In this case, don’t be shy: reprimand the person swiftly, and ask to be moved.

Put Your Armrest Down

Put it down and keep it down, no matter how great the person next to you seems. Doing so helps reinforce the idea of boundaries.

Keep yourself alert

Refrain from drinking, medications, or sleeping aids as this increases the risk of a sexual assault by impairing your ability to be alert. Consider staying awake as you will be more alert to preemptive moves from potential perpetrators.

Think About Your Seat

Are you in the aisle seat? Close to the flight attendant? Do you have your reading light on? Considering these factors when booking flights, especially for young, unaccompanied minors.

Departing Thoughts on Being Airborne

If you do experience sexual assault aboard an aircraft, report the situation immediately to the crew. It is in the airline’s duty of care and standard protocol to move you to another seat, report the incident, and contact necessary law enforcement to be waiting at your destination. If the flight crew fails to do, such as this 16-year-old’s harrowing experience aboard a United Airlines flight, the airline could be held accountable as a third-party for failing to provide adequate supervision or security.

Flying is a great way to travel, but it’s imperative to remember sexual assaults aboard flights happen, no matter how safe you may feel. Be air aware for all upcoming trips for you and your loved ones, and know how to protect yourself on a plane.

To learn more about airborne sexual assaults, the FBI has additional information listed here.