BBC Radio Scotland presenter Connie McLaughlin was 'shocked and appalled' after being 'inundated' with calls from women sharing disturbing stories about men carrying out lewd acts in front of them while travelling on buses.
McLaughlin was moved during a segment on the Mornings show, which focused on violence against women and girls. Zoe, 23, described an incident on a virtually empty bus in Glasgow city centre when a man sat next to her and masturbated. She broke down in tears as she recounted the experience.
Woman's harrowing bus experience
Speaking on Radio Scotland, Zoe said: “I just sat there I froze, I didn’t tell the driver. I messaged my boyfriend and asked him to meet me.”
“I was coming home on a bus through Glasgow city centre and a man sat next to me and started touching himself. I was just in complete shock . . . I just sat there in complete shock and waited for him to finish. The bus was completely empty.”
“When the man got off the bus I was thinking what just happened? Is he going to get back on? Is it going to happen again? Is it my fault? Did I react the wrong way? Should I have said something?”
Connie replied: “I’m so sorry that you had to go through that, it is just horrendous.”
Zoe continued: “My partner said it wouldn’t have happened if he was there. And he’s right.”
Other women share similar stories
Mornings on Radio Scotland is currently running a series of phone-ins on violence against women and girls. Zoe's encounter led to a succession of other women calling in to speak of similarly harrowing experiences on public transport.
Margaret, 75, from East Kilbride spoke of a recent incident at a bus stop. She said: “A few Saturdays ago, I had gone shopping at the retail park. There was a man in the bus stop.”
“I didn’t take much notice of him, I was waiting for my bus to come. I saw out of the corner of my eye that he was performing indecently behind his cap. He had his hat in front of him and he was rubbing himself up and down behind it.”
“I couldn’t believe my eyes. I was the only person at the bus stop so I felt quite vulnerable. Another two ladies came and then he turned his back on us as if he was sorting himself out. I just wish I had had the courage to confront him.”
Connie replied: “The feeling you are describing. Am I actually seeing this?”
Margaret continued: “Yes, 2 o’clock on a Saturday afternoon on a dual carriageway. The traffic is whizzing by. I’ve seen the man since three times on a bus and at the local shopping centre.”
“Even when I was on the bus I was going to say to him ‘I saw what you were doing you’re lucky I didn’t phone the police’. But I’m so disappointed in myself that I didn’t confront him. It’s been on my mind since. When I heard your phone in this morning I thought this has to be out there.”
Presenter's reaction to the phone-ins
Speaking about the series, which has helped to highlight the extent of violence against women and girls, Connie said: “These phone ins have been sobering to say that least and I hope will help shine a light on the scale of the problem. The women and girls who have gotten in touch with our programme are so brave and it is a privilege to tell their stories.”
