A woman who chased and filmed her alleged groper off a train says she is relieved police have reopened their investigation into the incident two years on.
Incident Details
The then 26-year-old Sydney woman boarded a train at busy Wynyard Station in November 2023 after work and began FaceTiming her mother and grandmother while seated on a single seat. While on the phone, she claimed to have felt pressure sliding along her armpit. Initially dismissing it, the pressure persisted, prompting her to turn around and see a stranger who she alleges was trying to wriggle his fingers towards her breast.
The woman stated that the man backed off and apologised before fleeing to the standing section near the doors. As the train approached North Strathfield Station, she followed him, started filming, and informed fellow passengers about the incident. 'A guy was touching my back then the side of my body…on the train just now,' she said. 'He's trying to get off the train now.'
Chase and Aftermath
When the doors opened, the man fled, but the woman pursued him off the train, demanding he confront her. 'Please don't go, can you stay here? Like, you touched me, why are you going? You think I won't say anything?' she yelled as he ran along the platform. 'Someone stop him please, someone stop him. He was touching me, someone stop him.' The man attempted to board another carriage but jumped off and escaped when he saw the woman reboarding.
The woman could not catch him and told news.com.au that train guards were unhelpful: 'The train operators didn't say anything. They just kept silent.' She reported the matter to Burwood Police Station that evening, but after reviewing CCTV footage, police reportedly said it was difficult to see the man's hand movements due to a bag covering it.
Case Reopened
Two years later, the alleged groper may be closer to being identified. NSW Police told Daily Mail on Friday that the case was being reopened. 'About 11pm on Friday 10 November 2023, officers attached to Burwood Police Area Command received a report that a 26-year-old woman had been assaulted by an unknown male while travelling on a train between Strathfield Train Station and North Strathfield Train Station,' a spokesperson said. 'Police have received new information, which is currently being investigated. Inquiries continue.'
TikTok users praised her persistence. 'I hope you're ok, glad you spoke up,' one commented. 'Time to have separate train compartments in Sydney and elsewhere for men and women,' another suggested.
Related Incident
Earlier this month, NSW Police arrested and charged a 26-year-old man for the alleged sexual touching of a 24-year-old woman at Werrington Railway Station. He was charged with sexually touching another person without consent and granted conditional bail to appear at Penrith Local Court on Friday, June 5.
