Tora, 25, tells Stylist how her report of unwanted sexual behaviour resulted in the offender being convicted of assault.

“It was about 10am on a weekday in January 2017. I got on the tube to head to work. This guy got on next to me and stood very, very close. It wasn’t so busy that he needed to stand so near to me – I felt like something was really off. He had this big box under his arm, so his hand was extended away from his body. I looked down and realised he suddenly had his hand on my thigh. He ran his fingers up the inside of my leg. I thought, ‘Oh my God, that guy’s just touched me.’

I remember taking a step back and pushing into the people behind me. I was in shock. I thought, ‘Did he mean to do that? What just happened?’ I was confused because he wasn’t even looking at me – it all happened in this strange, rehearsed way. It made me doubt myself, so I watched him.

A couple of stops later, a young girl got on and he made a beeline for her. I thought, ‘Yeah, that wasn’t in my head – he did mean to touch me.’ I beckoned her over and said, ‘That guy’s trying to touch you’. I think he heard me as he rushed off the train at the next stop. The girl thanked me and also got off the tube. My stop was next. As soon as I arrived at the main exit area, I reported what had happened to some TfL staff. They were amazing. They took me to their office and called the British Transport Police, who arrived quickly and took my statement.

In the summer I was told they’d arrested someone and needed me to identify the suspect. They showed me eight different men via a video link. He was one of them. A few months later I was informed that, in relation to my case, the man had been charged with ‘sexual assault on a female’. Three other women had also filed reports, helping to build a profile that resulted in his arrest. The numerous charges resulted in him getting eight months of jail time and being placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

I was relieved to know the verdict and seeing those words ‘sexual assault’ made me think, ‘Yes, I was sexually assaulted’. It made it real. I could have dismissed what happened, but by reporting the incident I’ve stopped it happening to someone else. When you report these things it helps to build  a picture. Nine times out of 10, you’re not going to be the first person they’ve done it to, and you probably won’t be the last – unless they’re held accountable.”

Stand up to unwanted sexual behaviour on your commute