: Check in on the victim after the incident to offer emotional support or offer to help report it. Systemic Solutions Implemented by Transit Authorities
Public transit should be a safe, accessible utility for everyone. Recognizing that an encoxada is an act of sexual harassment—not an unavoidable aspect of a busy commute—is the first major step toward eradication.
Creating a safe environment requires systemic and collective effort. Bystander Intervention encoxada in bus top
The term comes from the Spanish encoxar (“to press with the hip or thigh”), and in many Latin American and Spanish cities, it’s a recognized form of street-level sexual harassment. Unlike groping, which requires a hand, encoxada relies on the illusion of accident. The perpetrator—almost always a man—uses sudden braking, curves, or crowd surges to grind against a victim, often while holding a jacket, bag, or newspaper as a visual shield.
It is crucial to understand: If a person presses their genitals against you for more than a second and adjusts to maintain contact as the bus moves, it is a crime. : Check in on the victim after the
If you experience an unwelcome encoxada or any form of harassment while riding a bus, safety experts recommend the following steps if it is safe to do so:
Eventually, the bus stopped at a traffic light, and she paused, her chest heaving with exertion, a radiant smile on her face. The crowd that had gathered applauded, cheering for more. And then, as if on cue, the music from a nearby club drifted over, and she began again, this time drawing in a few willing participants from the crowd. Creating a safe environment requires systemic and collective
Modern transit agencies continue to invest in . This includes real-time location tracking for emergency responses, improved indoor lighting design, and comprehensive training for bus drivers so they know exactly how to handle emergencies, stop the vehicle safely, and lock doors until authorities arrive to apprehend an offender.