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UK
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USA
What to do if…
someone gropes or touches you sexually in a crowded public place
Short answer
Move toward a safer, visible place near staff, security, a transit operator, or someone you trust, and put distance between you and the person if you can do so safely. Call 911 if you are in immediate danger or need urgent police or medical assistance.
Do not do these things
- Do not chase or confront the person if that could put you at greater risk.
- Do not risk your safety to photograph, follow, or identify them.
- Do not pressure yourself to shout, fight back, or react in a particular way.
- Do not force yourself to decide immediately whether to report what happened.
- Do not blame yourself if you froze, stayed quiet, or could not move away.
- Do not remain near the person just to prove what happened.
- Do not post identifying details online while you are still trying to get safe and steady.
What to do now
- Move toward a staffed or controlled area, such as a service counter, security point, transit operator, store, or well-lit entrance.
- Ask one specific person to stay with you. You can say, “Someone touched me sexually. Please help me get somewhere safe.”
- If the person is still nearby, tell staff, security, or the transit operator from a safe position and ask them to keep the person away from you. You do not need to approach the person.
- Call 911 if the person is threatening, following, restraining, or continuing to touch you, or if you need urgent medical assistance. If you cannot call, ask a specific person nearby to call.
- Contact someone you trust and ask them to meet you, stay on the phone, or help you leave the area.
- Contact the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline by calling 800-656-HOPE (4673), texting HOPE to 64673, or using its online hotline for free, confidential, 24-hour support.
- Seek medical attention if you are injured, in pain, or concerned about your physical health.
- If you may want to report the incident or contact the venue later, and it feels manageable, note the time, place, what happened, the person’s description, and any witnesses.
What can wait
You do not need to decide now whether to contact police, make a venue complaint, identify the person, tell family, post online, or choose a legal label for what happened. Other legal, medical, workplace, school, or travel decisions can wait unless you have an immediate safety or health concern.
Important reassurance
The touching was not your fault. Freezing, going quiet, or being unable to identify the person does not make you responsible for what happened. You do not need a perfect memory or certainty about what to call it before seeking support.
Scope note
This guide covers immediate safety and support only. Later decisions about reporting, healthcare, complaints, or legal options may require help from a sexual-assault advocate, healthcare professional, or qualified attorney in your state.
Important note
This is general information, not legal, medical, mental health, or emergency advice. Laws, reporting processes, and available services vary by state and circumstance. Call 911 if you are in immediate danger or need urgent assistance.
Additional Resources
About this guide
This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.