The FBI is educating the public about a severe federal crime that is becoming more common: sexual assault on airplanes.
The FBI assigns airport liaison agents (ALA) to each of its 56 field offices to the approximately 450 aviation facilities in the United States that are subject to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations for passenger screening activities.
Under the FBI’s special investigative jurisdiction, the ALAs deal with crimes committed aboard aircraft. Multi-agency task groups are stationed at larger airports, such as Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), to look into a range of criminal and national security issues, including terrorism, espionage, and sexual assaults.
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According to the FBI, 96 cases pertaining to in-flight sexual assault were initiated in 2023. Sexual assault on airplanes is a crime that carries a prison sentence for perpetrators. It typically takes the form of unwelcome touching. Women and unaccompanied adolescents are the victims, and men are usually the ones who commit the crimes.
The FBI is in charge of crimes committed on airplanes, and agents note that there are a lot of similarities between these crimes and in-flight sexual assaults. Long-haul flights typically experience the attacks at night when the cabin is dark.
Usually, the victims are sleeping in the middle or near the window, covered by a jacket or blanket.
They claim to have woken up to find their seatmate’s hands in their underwear or clothes. In an attempt to unwind or fall asleep, many travelers may drink alcohol or take prescription medications.
This can create a false sense of security and serve as a lure for criminals who see these victims as vulnerable. Offenders are also known to take advantage of the possibility that some victims may choose not to report an occurrence due to embarrassment, a desire to avoid making a disturbance, or a desire to believe the assault was an accident.
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“As warmer weather approaches and the travel season commences, the FBI expects to see an increase in reported sexual assaults”, said Mehtab Syed, assistant director in charge of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office. “Flyers are urged to be aware of their surroundings and take precautions to stay safe including keeping the armrest down between you and your seatmate and requesting a seat change if the passenger next to you engages in behavior that makes you feel uncomfortable. Anyone who believes they have been sexually assaulted is encouraged to alert a member of the flight crew and contact the FBI at tips.fbi.gov or 1-800-CALL-FBI.”
Passengers are encouraged to take the following precautions before and during a flight:
- Offenders will often test their victims, sometimes pretending to brush against them to see how they react or if they wake up. If such behavior occurs, establish boundaries, and consider asking to be moved to another seat.
- If your seatmate is a stranger, no matter how polite he or she may seem, keep the armrest between you down.
- If you are arranging for a child to fly unaccompanied, try to reserve an aisle seat so flight attendants can keep a closer watch on them. Minors are known targets.
- If an incident happens, report it immediately to the flight crew and ask that they record the attacker’s identity and report the incident. They can alert law enforcement, if necessary.
Timely notification to law enforcement is key. Crime aboard aircraft is more difficult to investigate once days, or even hours, have passed following the incident since witnesses depart and recollections fade.
If alerted in advance, FBI agents can be on hand when the plane lands to conduct interviews and take subjects into custody. FBI victim specialists can respond as well because victims of federal crimes are entitled by law to a variety of services.
If law enforcement is not able to respond on the ground, victims are encouraged to contact the nearest FBI office after landing.
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