Sexual harassment is on the rise in the New York City subway system and city officials are cracking down on gropers and flashers. Sexual harassment is the "No. 1 quality of life offense on the subway," the chief of the NYPD's Transit Bureau told a hearing yesterday. The average age of a groper is 39 and most victims are women over 17.
There have been 587 reports of sexual harassment on the subway so far this year, up 4% over last year, but authorities believe the true number of attacks is much higher, reports the New York Times. The Transit Authority has introduced anti-groping posters and announcements. One councilman suggested that people convicted of sex offenses on the subway—many of whom are repeat offenders—have their pictures put on a "wall of shame." (More New York City stories.)