by Cindy J. Smith
Blogger-in-Chief
On October 30, the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) released a report about the frequency in which sexual assaults occur on the Toronto transit system. Every three days, passengers file reports about incidents where inappropriate touching or unwanted sexual contact had taken place.
Sexual assaults on public transit are a crime of opportunity for perverts, regardless of gender. Crowded and confined to a bus, subway car or streetcar, assailants press themselves against their victims and grope them. Usually victims of sexual assault don't realize they're being assaulted while traveling on a jam-packed subway car. Objects and body parts being pressed against them seem almost normal considering the crush of bodies jockeying for space. Unfortunately, that's not the truth for what's happening and the problem is worse than TTC officials realized.
The frequency of stops allow these criminals to escape. Many drift through the system undetected and protected by the volume of passenger traffic. They easily take advantage of a system bursting at the seams.
So what's it like on GO Transit?
Although the numbers released to ThisCrazyTrain.com don't reflect incidents reported to police agencies instead of to GO Transit, wrote Anne Marie Aikins, spokesperson for Metrolinx, in an email to this website - the numbers are small for a system that transports 70 million passengers annually:
In 2014, 23 passengers complained of being sexually assaulted while traveling on GO Transit's system. In 2015, 22 passengers filed reports and in 2016, 12 customers have reported being sexually assaulted to date.
But are these numbers realistic?
According to public safety experts, unreported sexual assault on public transit happens because most passengers don't realize an assault has taken place. Overcrowding and the assumption passengers are "accidentally being touched" are many reasons why people don't consider themselves a victim of sexual assault. Or, they fear they won't be taken seriously.
One anonymous female GO train passenger texted ThisCrazyTrain.com describing a recent incident on a busy Lakeshore West train. She alleged a male passenger grinded his pelvis into her back whenever the train swayed side to side. This passenger confronted her assailant and when he denied assaulting her, other passengers came to her defence. This passenger said she didn't report the incident to GO Transit because she believed it was "isolated", and that she had "effectively handled it".
I can back her up with my own story of "handling" unwanted sexual advances when traveling on transit. I was in my early twenties and traveling to Yorkdale subway station one Saturday afternoon. Seated next to me was an older gentlemen who was fondling himself through his pants pocket. He was trying in vain to get me to watch him and I was trying in vain to ignore him. The subway was crowded and I was in a two-seater with him. I was seated in the seat closest to the window. Occasionally, he would press his thigh into mine. I began to plan my escape after we left St. Clair West station. Suddenly, he asked me if I wanted to "touch it". Using all my strength, I lunged at him and managed to knock him off the seat and into the aisle. I don't remember what I said. I just remember feeling humiliated, scared, disgusted and super anxious. I vaulted over him and pushed my way off the train, and managed to escape just as the train doors closed. Standing on the platform at Eglinton West station, I tried to make sense of what had just happened. I didn't report it.
I've never had a situation on GO Transit where I felt sexually violated or touched inappropriately. I find traveling on GO to be quite safe. Unlike subway cars, passengers have the ability to move through the train freely to escape situations we feel might get out of hand. We also have a living and breathing person we can go directly to if we need immediate help, since all GO trains have a customer service ambassador on board.
GO Transit has demonstrated on numerous occasions they take all reports of sexual assault very seriously. Transit safety officers conduct regular patrols of stations and vehicles to deter and prevent criminal behaviour, issuing system-wide and public security bulletins when incidents of sexual assault occur.
A suspect in a recent sexual assault on a GO Transit passenger in York Region was quickly arrested after the decisive and swift actions of GO Transit's Safety division, wrote Aikins.
Aikins also said in her email that GO Transit Safety Officers freely share information with other GTA transit and law enforcement agencies, which is why arrests tend to happen swiftly.
To report an incident of sexual assault on GO Transit directly to GO Transit, contact 1-877-297-0642.
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query assault GO. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query assault GO. Sort by date Show all posts
Friday, November 18, 2016
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
On Sunday, some douchebag punched a GO bus operator. On Tuesday, said douchebag was found and arrested
March 21, 2017
Police identified the 24-year-old suspect wanted for assaulting a GO Transit bus driver on Sunday.
On Sunday March 19, 2017, officers attended the area of King Avenue and Baldwin Street in Newcastle after reports of a disturbance at a GO Transit stop in the area.
On Monday, March 20, 2017 officers were able to identify the suspect and he was taken into custody without incident.
Matthew JACIW, age 24, of Regional Highway 2 in Clarington is charged with: Aggravated Assault; Robbery and Mischief/Damage Property not Exceeding $5000. He was held for a bail hearing.
EARLIER PRESS RELEASE:
Mar 20, 2017
Police are looking for a male suspect after a bus driver was assaulted Sunday night in Newcastle.
On Sunday March 19, 2017, officers attended the area of King Avenue and Baldwin Street in Newcastle after reports of a disturbance at a GO Transit stop in the area.
Witnesses reported a driver had unsuccessfully attempted to wake a male passenger who was passed out on the upper level of the bus.
The driver returned to the front and the male awoke and began yelling at the driver and kicking the cash box. The driver attempted to stop him and was punched in the head several times. The male fled in an unknown direction. The driver was taken to hospital and treated for head injuries.
The suspect is described as male, white, 18-23 years old, with a thin build, blue eyes and glasses. He was wearing a long green military style coat with a light grey hooded shirt underneath, blue jeans and running shoes.
Police identified the 24-year-old suspect wanted for assaulting a GO Transit bus driver on Sunday.
On Sunday March 19, 2017, officers attended the area of King Avenue and Baldwin Street in Newcastle after reports of a disturbance at a GO Transit stop in the area.
On Monday, March 20, 2017 officers were able to identify the suspect and he was taken into custody without incident.
Matthew JACIW, age 24, of Regional Highway 2 in Clarington is charged with: Aggravated Assault; Robbery and Mischief/Damage Property not Exceeding $5000. He was held for a bail hearing.
EARLIER PRESS RELEASE:
Mar 20, 2017
Police are looking for a male suspect after a bus driver was assaulted Sunday night in Newcastle.
On Sunday March 19, 2017, officers attended the area of King Avenue and Baldwin Street in Newcastle after reports of a disturbance at a GO Transit stop in the area.
Witnesses reported a driver had unsuccessfully attempted to wake a male passenger who was passed out on the upper level of the bus.
The driver returned to the front and the male awoke and began yelling at the driver and kicking the cash box. The driver attempted to stop him and was punched in the head several times. The male fled in an unknown direction. The driver was taken to hospital and treated for head injuries.
The suspect is described as male, white, 18-23 years old, with a thin build, blue eyes and glasses. He was wearing a long green military style coat with a light grey hooded shirt underneath, blue jeans and running shoes.
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Six women report sexual assault on Milton GO by groper feigning sleep: police
FROM METRO NEWS
Six women have gone to the Toronto Police to report they were sexually assaulted by a man who sat next to on the buses or trans in the Milton corridor of GO Transit, feigned sleep and then groped them. Det. Wayne Fowler said a suspect, Mustafa Ibrahim, 29, of Mississauga, has been charged with two counts of sexual assault and he expects more charges will be laid. After police announced on March 6 that Ibrahim had been arrested in connection with the assault of a 22-year-old woman, other women came forward to say they’d been assaulted in the same manner. The assaults date back to December, said Fowler.
KEEP READING
Six women have gone to the Toronto Police to report they were sexually assaulted by a man who sat next to on the buses or trans in the Milton corridor of GO Transit, feigned sleep and then groped them. Det. Wayne Fowler said a suspect, Mustafa Ibrahim, 29, of Mississauga, has been charged with two counts of sexual assault and he expects more charges will be laid. After police announced on March 6 that Ibrahim had been arrested in connection with the assault of a 22-year-old woman, other women came forward to say they’d been assaulted in the same manner. The assaults date back to December, said Fowler.
KEEP READING
Friday, February 6, 2015
Male Exposes Himself on GO Train
DURHAM REGIONAL POLICE - Police are looking to identify a male who exposed himself to a female commuter on a GO Train in Ajax.
On Thursday, February 5, 2015, at approximately 2:30 p.m., a female boarded a westbound GO Train at the Whitby station. A male who had earlier opened a door for her followed her onto the train and continued to follow her as she headed for a different car. The suspect sat down in the seat directly behind the victim.
As the train arrived at the Ajax station, the male stood up in front of the victim and exposed himself. When the victim yelled, he fled the train.
The suspect is described as male, white, with an olive complexion, possibly of Asian descent, 18 to 22 years old, approximately 56 tall, with short, brown hair and wearing a black or navy jacket and khaki pants.
An image of the male is attached or can be viewed at www.drps.ca under Newsroom.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact D/Cst. Firth of the Major Crime Sexual Assault Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5316.
Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a $2,000 cash reward.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Recent LSE/LSW GO train incidents you should know about
Girl assaulted on GO Transit, suspect at large
Toronto Star
Toronto Police report that on Wednesday (February 6, 2013) at 4 p.m., a 15-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted while travelling on the Lakeshore East line.
According to the report, the alleged assault happened as the train approached Rouge Hill.
The report doesn't indicate what train this girl was on, or the direction of travel. It couldn't have been eastbound as the time doesn't line up with Union departures. She must have been westbound, towards Union.
The suspect is described as "white, 25 to 30 years old, 6 feet tall, 180 pounds, and unshaven, with short, brown hair. He was last seen wearing a baggy black winter jacket, beige pants, a beige baseball hat, turned backwards, construction boots and black sunglasses".
Police searching for suspect following indecent act on GO train
680News
According to this report, a male suspect is believed to have boarded a an east-bound LSW train at either Port Credit or Clarkson, sat in a seat close to a woman, and began to commit an indecent act.
Toronto Police Services released a photo of the suspect. It's not the best quality or resolution, I'm afraid.
Toronto Star
Toronto Police report that on Wednesday (February 6, 2013) at 4 p.m., a 15-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted while travelling on the Lakeshore East line.
According to the report, the alleged assault happened as the train approached Rouge Hill.
The report doesn't indicate what train this girl was on, or the direction of travel. It couldn't have been eastbound as the time doesn't line up with Union departures. She must have been westbound, towards Union.
The suspect is described as "white, 25 to 30 years old, 6 feet tall, 180 pounds, and unshaven, with short, brown hair. He was last seen wearing a baggy black winter jacket, beige pants, a beige baseball hat, turned backwards, construction boots and black sunglasses".
Police searching for suspect following indecent act on GO train
680News
According to this report, a male suspect is believed to have boarded a an east-bound LSW train at either Port Credit or Clarkson, sat in a seat close to a woman, and began to commit an indecent act.
Toronto Police Services released a photo of the suspect. It's not the best quality or resolution, I'm afraid.
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Durham Regional Police - Female Inappropriately Touched on GO Train - Report
Police are looking to identify a male after a female travelling on a GO Train between Whitby and Ajax was inappropriately touched.
On Wednesday February 18, 2015, at approximately 3:20 p.m., a female on board reports being approached by a male who sat down beside her and asked if he could ask her a question. The female reports the male then touched her inappropriately. She reported the incident to GO Transit officials, who contacted police.
The suspect is described as male, white, possibly of Asian descent, 19 to 22 years old, approximately 5 9 tall with a slender build. He had brown hair and brown eyes and was wearing a black hooded jacket and black pants.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Det. Wilson of the Major Crime Sexual Assault Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5320.
Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a $2,000 cash reward.
On Wednesday February 18, 2015, at approximately 3:20 p.m., a female on board reports being approached by a male who sat down beside her and asked if he could ask her a question. The female reports the male then touched her inappropriately. She reported the incident to GO Transit officials, who contacted police.
The suspect is described as male, white, possibly of Asian descent, 19 to 22 years old, approximately 5 9 tall with a slender build. He had brown hair and brown eyes and was wearing a black hooded jacket and black pants.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Det. Wilson of the Major Crime Sexual Assault Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5320.
Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a $2,000 cash reward.
Thursday, December 10, 2015
YES! BRING ME ALL THE RANTS! (p.s. thanks for your note at the end)
| from: | R S | ||
| to: | cj@thiscrazytrain.com | ||
| date: | Thu, Dec 10, 2015 at 9:32 AM | ||
| subject: | You dare to look at me? |
Thought I'd share this rant with you.
Still shaking my head over this one.....almost every day this lady gets on the train at Unionville in Markham and promptly starts talking on the phone. How much can you say at 630 am for almost and hour every morning I just don't understand.
So I turned around to see who was making this racket and saw it was her. Ok whatever. Went back to reading the news. A few mins later we get a visit for fare inspections and all is well.
This lady decides to run up to one of the GO Transit officers and asks that I be arrested for giving her a dirty look. Say what?! Serious?
I could overhear the conversation and the Officer asked if I verbally abused her? Nope. Physically assault her? Nope. Well there isn't a fine for someone giving you a dirty look.
So what does the deranged woman do? Come sit next to me to start a fight. I told her she was strange and got up and left to the QZ. Sorry, not falling into your trap.
What is wrong with people today?! Every little stupid thing offends at least one person. Jesus Christ!
I took a stealth picture of her just in case she does something stupid and I need to contact GO/Metrolinx.
Hope you had a nice vacation Cindy. Glad to have you back.
Sunday, September 21, 2014
OPP arrest man in Oakville after knife pulled during altercation on a GO Transit bus
Because nothing ends a fight faster than pulling a weapon, right?
Photo: @emma_lp via Instagram
Some jerk's family is combing their couches for pennies and dimes to bail out a dude who thought it'd be a good idea to fight with a knife on a GO bus last night.
Dumbest move ever. Police aren't disclosing why the argument escalated so quickly and what the fight was about.
A passenger on board had called 911 just shortly after 9 pm as the bus passed through Burlington, heading towards downtown Toronto. According to the OPP, officers and officers from Halton Police boarded the bus while it was stopped on the QEW near Royal Windsor Drive.
The man was arrested without incident at 9:30 pm.
The unidentified smartest man in the world was charged with assault with a weapon.
Photo: @emma_lp via Instagram
Friday, March 18, 2011
Stand your ground
From: "Name Withheld"
To: cj@thiscrazytrain.com
Date: Wed, 16 Mar 2011 23:11:42
Subject: Rude people
Hey,
So I just found your go train website tonight as I was fooling around on Google and your poll question made me want to email you.
I don't know how many people read your site so I'd like it if you could keep me anonymous. I don't ride the Lakeshore East but I do take the same train every morning on a different line and sit on the same car with people I see almost everyday and recently, at around Christmas, this woman started taking the train. She carries with her everyday a fullsize pillow with a cartoon character on it. Already I may be giving too much away but I can't hold this in much longer. We have quite a ways to go so once she boards, she settles in for her nap. She puts in earplugs, puts on a night mask and adjusts her pillow. The problem is she snores. Snores like a fright train roaring towards a cavernous concourse of a train station. It's so loud that no one else can concentrate and people won't move because seats are gone quickly and the train gets super packed just after the first couple of stops.
Monday morning I was late catching the train and the only seat free was across from her. I noticed a few regulars were prepared because both of them were wearing headphones. I had nothing, not even a book and I was annoyed I'd be sitting with her. I don't like to stand as I find the rocking of the train causes me to feel nauseous and besides, why should her nasty ignorant habit force me to have to stand? She was already settled in but hadn't put her earplugs in yet. I had a shit night and wasn't prepared for a full hour of this bullshit so I decided I would say something.
So I said to her, I hope you don't plan on sleeping this morning because I have a migraine and maybe no one has ever told you but you snore very loud. I had no idea how else to tell her and tried to keep my tone polite. She actually said, Excuse me?. So I said, you snore and it bothers everyone on this train. She repeats what I said and I said yes. So she says well that's tough for you, isn't it and tough for everyone and re-adjusts herself and crams her earplugs into her ears. I sighed and then this lady behind me says, Stand your ground, son. So I turn around and she peers at me between the seats and says, I'm glad you said something. I just nodded and the guy beside her says he's pretty sick of her.
Anyway, the snoring beast heard what we said and yanks out her earplugs (which seem to be useless) and tells us that if we have anything to say we should say it to her face. She was really pissing me off. I mean, what is WITH people?!! This isn't a rolling hotel. It's a public commuter train. Why should we be subjected to her crap?!!! I ignored her. We were moving now at this point and had the attention of pretty much everyone on-board. I was at a loss for how to fix this so I just kept ignoring her and stared out the window. Then out of nowhere she kicked me in the shin. If I were a woman, I would have slapped her but that ain't right no matter who you are so I stood up and said I was going to find the CSA so that when we got to Union, a cop would be waiting for her so I could press charges for assault. I climbed out of the quad and walked through the train and I was so wound up. My heart was hammering away and I feel like an idiot because I didn't pursue it. I guess I should have.
I've seen her everyday this week as I refuse to switch trains but I think other people have said something to her because she didn't sleep this morning.
I would think that snoring would be number 1 on everyone's list of things that other passengers do that make it for a rough train ride in. So I don't think I'm alone here.
To: cj@thiscrazytrain.com
Date: Wed, 16 Mar 2011 23:11:42
Subject: Rude people
Hey,
So I just found your go train website tonight as I was fooling around on Google and your poll question made me want to email you.
I don't know how many people read your site so I'd like it if you could keep me anonymous. I don't ride the Lakeshore East but I do take the same train every morning on a different line and sit on the same car with people I see almost everyday and recently, at around Christmas, this woman started taking the train. She carries with her everyday a fullsize pillow with a cartoon character on it. Already I may be giving too much away but I can't hold this in much longer. We have quite a ways to go so once she boards, she settles in for her nap. She puts in earplugs, puts on a night mask and adjusts her pillow. The problem is she snores. Snores like a fright train roaring towards a cavernous concourse of a train station. It's so loud that no one else can concentrate and people won't move because seats are gone quickly and the train gets super packed just after the first couple of stops.
Monday morning I was late catching the train and the only seat free was across from her. I noticed a few regulars were prepared because both of them were wearing headphones. I had nothing, not even a book and I was annoyed I'd be sitting with her. I don't like to stand as I find the rocking of the train causes me to feel nauseous and besides, why should her nasty ignorant habit force me to have to stand? She was already settled in but hadn't put her earplugs in yet. I had a shit night and wasn't prepared for a full hour of this bullshit so I decided I would say something.
So I said to her, I hope you don't plan on sleeping this morning because I have a migraine and maybe no one has ever told you but you snore very loud. I had no idea how else to tell her and tried to keep my tone polite. She actually said, Excuse me?. So I said, you snore and it bothers everyone on this train. She repeats what I said and I said yes. So she says well that's tough for you, isn't it and tough for everyone and re-adjusts herself and crams her earplugs into her ears. I sighed and then this lady behind me says, Stand your ground, son. So I turn around and she peers at me between the seats and says, I'm glad you said something. I just nodded and the guy beside her says he's pretty sick of her.
Anyway, the snoring beast heard what we said and yanks out her earplugs (which seem to be useless) and tells us that if we have anything to say we should say it to her face. She was really pissing me off. I mean, what is WITH people?!! This isn't a rolling hotel. It's a public commuter train. Why should we be subjected to her crap?!!! I ignored her. We were moving now at this point and had the attention of pretty much everyone on-board. I was at a loss for how to fix this so I just kept ignoring her and stared out the window. Then out of nowhere she kicked me in the shin. If I were a woman, I would have slapped her but that ain't right no matter who you are so I stood up and said I was going to find the CSA so that when we got to Union, a cop would be waiting for her so I could press charges for assault. I climbed out of the quad and walked through the train and I was so wound up. My heart was hammering away and I feel like an idiot because I didn't pursue it. I guess I should have.
I've seen her everyday this week as I refuse to switch trains but I think other people have said something to her because she didn't sleep this morning.
I would think that snoring would be number 1 on everyone's list of things that other passengers do that make it for a rough train ride in. So I don't think I'm alone here.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Whitby man arrested in connection with alleged assault of 15 year old girl on a GO Train
- Toronto Police Services photo
Police have arrested Christopher Fraser, 27, of Whitby.
Fraser is accused of taking photos and assaulting the teenager while aboard a Lakeshore East GO train and following her when she exited the train at Rouge Hill.
Police say she may not be his only victim.
Anyone with information about this suspect are asked to call police at 416-808-7474 or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477).
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Terrorist Sausage
My Tweets tell the story:
ThisCrazyTrain
Whatever dude has in this box reeks to high heaven!Smells like 30 day old beer with a cig butt in it
2 hours ago
ThisCrazyTrain
@MelissaLou5 I'm getting wafts of BO as well. Jesus Christ, it's these damn CNE junkies. Not loving the mix of stale cigarettes either
2 hours ago
ThisCrazyTrain
This asshole & his stinky CNE food did not get off at Pickering. Am now preparing 2 punt the box out of his hands when the doors open @ Ajax
2 hours ago
ThisCrazyTrain
@shawnaga Can't wait to photoshop 'traditional southern GARBAGE' on the pic with squiggles of fumes later 2night for the website
2 hours ago
ThisCrazyTrain
@elleinad_ I don't think what was in that box was pizza. He probably ate the pizza and then picked up some roadkill for the ride home
16 minutes ago
This is what it feels like when GO passengers bring stinky food on board.
It's an assault to the nose!
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
I nominate LSE for most dangerous GO route
Fraud, assault top list of crimes on TTC buses
A man aboard the 96 Wilson bus route waves a steak knife in front of a pregnant woman’s stomach before punching her in the head.
A public masturbator on the 53 Steeles East line ejaculates on another passenger’s sleeve.
These incidents represent just two of more than 4,000 crimes that have taken place on board TTC…
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Let's call the blogger!
Yesterday's post, where I asked people to tell me their meanest transit story, found its way on Reddit.
On there, this comment was written:
Those who were curious decided to phone me. But let me just stop here for a second... "She also claims to be fluent in squirrel if you communicate in that language..." Seriously?
Really?
I'm legit. You don't need to call me because you can't believe someone would actually put a phone number online.
I missed one call but answered the second one.
Hello?
(click)
So I called D Howard back.
D Howard didn't answer.
Why not, D Howard?
Don't you want to be friends? Share a bagel with me?
On there, this comment was written:
Those who were curious decided to phone me. But let me just stop here for a second... "She also claims to be fluent in squirrel if you communicate in that language..." Seriously?
Really?
I'm legit. You don't need to call me because you can't believe someone would actually put a phone number online.
I missed one call but answered the second one.
Hello?
(click)
So I called D Howard back.
D Howard didn't answer.
Why not, D Howard?
Don't you want to be friends? Share a bagel with me?
Monday, March 3, 2014
I've got nothing
Tonight I rode the bus with a young man (18? 19?) sitting near the back who kept saying, "mah nig--h" over and over in his phone call to whoever he was talking to.
This young man was white.
It was an assault to the ears and deplorable to listen to. Apparently a young lady (20?) sitting near him felt the same and not so politely asked him to stop.
Needless to say it didn't go well. He banged the back of her seat a couple of times, another guy (30?) jumped in and defended her, and on and on they bitched back and forth.
WHAT YEAR IS THIS? AND WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE?
I was disgusted by what I had witnessed, the general lack of respect. If this young man was my son, I'd be embarrassed.
Everyone got off at downtown Oshawa, I generally feared for the girl's safety but the man who defended her made a point to shadow her, so I can only suspect all was well.
Unbelievable.
This young man was white.
It was an assault to the ears and deplorable to listen to. Apparently a young lady (20?) sitting near him felt the same and not so politely asked him to stop.
Needless to say it didn't go well. He banged the back of her seat a couple of times, another guy (30?) jumped in and defended her, and on and on they bitched back and forth.
WHAT YEAR IS THIS? AND WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE?
I was disgusted by what I had witnessed, the general lack of respect. If this young man was my son, I'd be embarrassed.
Everyone got off at downtown Oshawa, I generally feared for the girl's safety but the man who defended her made a point to shadow her, so I can only suspect all was well.
Unbelievable.
Friday, May 29, 2015
More about last Thursday's assault on the LSE 4:07 PM train
Those of you who've been around for awhile know my oldest sister, Jennifer is developmentally delayed. I peg her overall maturity to be that of an 8 year old. In addition to her mental challenges, she also suffers from anxiety and depression. She has been on and off medication to treat these chemical imbalances since 1997.
It's funny how strangers and friends, with no idea what it's been like to live with Jennifer, freely offer opinions about her overall care. My parents are constantly defending their decision to have her live with them full time, and fielding questions about what will happen to her when they are gone. What about myself and my two other sisters? What will happen to us when they are gone?
These questions are cruel, insensitive and hurtful. I can appreciate they come from a place of concern, but I have my doubts sometimes, because I know, after witnessing a really bad Jennifer meltdown, these same people thank whatever God they worship that their children aren't like Jennifer. Let's be frank. They're happy they don't have to deal with it, and because they feel they couldn't deal with it, there's this assumption my parents shouldn't have to deal with it. Well they do, but we all appreciate the concern.
If you're familiar with the movie Rainman, you'll understand the difficulty people like Dustin Hoffman's character, Ray, have with "transitioning". Meaning, we can't do this now, so we have to do something else. Or, this show has been cancelled, so let's go home.
Stubborn and defiant, people like my sister, Jennifer, react badly to these situations and can be difficult to control. You might as well be trying to reason with a grapefruit.
Jennifer can be aggressive if she's frustrated because she refuses to believe there isn't a way to fix what happened. It's incredibly draining and exhausting to deal with these situations.
So why did I write all this? Only to try to give people a better understanding about these situations and as a preamble to what happened last Thursday.
A CSA was not assaulted. Let's get that part straight. Another passenger was assaulted but only because he intervened in a nasty altercation between a man like my sister and his Personal Support Worker (PSW). The man and his PSW were traveling on the Lakeshore East to attend a group session the man goes to every Thursday like clockwork. My sister does the same on Saturday nights. When it became clear that the overall delay to the 4:07 PM train meant he would miss his group session, he became agitated and frustrated and lashed out at his PSW. His PSW attempted to restrain him as he was upset the train was not moving and demanding someone make the "man" move it. Another passenger, familiar with people like the man, stepped in and was accidentally kicked in the "baggage" area.
It sounds ugly. I can promise you it probably was ugly. I have too many stories of similar situations with my sister and I can't bring myself to share them. But when there have been times where the public has assisted, and not often with good intentions, these people then scold my parents (or me) for not having my sister in a group home, or in an institution, or for just being out in public with her. Hurtful stuff really. I feel for my mom the most in these situations. She's put up with a lot. She was incredibly strong when we were younger but now that I'm a mom myself, and dealing with a child with her own issues (Asutism Spectrum Disorder) my mom calls me and cries. Mostly out of frustration. Sometimes out of humiliation. And often out of desperation.
Be kind. That's all I ask.
It's funny how strangers and friends, with no idea what it's been like to live with Jennifer, freely offer opinions about her overall care. My parents are constantly defending their decision to have her live with them full time, and fielding questions about what will happen to her when they are gone. What about myself and my two other sisters? What will happen to us when they are gone?
These questions are cruel, insensitive and hurtful. I can appreciate they come from a place of concern, but I have my doubts sometimes, because I know, after witnessing a really bad Jennifer meltdown, these same people thank whatever God they worship that their children aren't like Jennifer. Let's be frank. They're happy they don't have to deal with it, and because they feel they couldn't deal with it, there's this assumption my parents shouldn't have to deal with it. Well they do, but we all appreciate the concern.
If you're familiar with the movie Rainman, you'll understand the difficulty people like Dustin Hoffman's character, Ray, have with "transitioning". Meaning, we can't do this now, so we have to do something else. Or, this show has been cancelled, so let's go home.
Stubborn and defiant, people like my sister, Jennifer, react badly to these situations and can be difficult to control. You might as well be trying to reason with a grapefruit.
Jennifer can be aggressive if she's frustrated because she refuses to believe there isn't a way to fix what happened. It's incredibly draining and exhausting to deal with these situations.
So why did I write all this? Only to try to give people a better understanding about these situations and as a preamble to what happened last Thursday.
A CSA was not assaulted. Let's get that part straight. Another passenger was assaulted but only because he intervened in a nasty altercation between a man like my sister and his Personal Support Worker (PSW). The man and his PSW were traveling on the Lakeshore East to attend a group session the man goes to every Thursday like clockwork. My sister does the same on Saturday nights. When it became clear that the overall delay to the 4:07 PM train meant he would miss his group session, he became agitated and frustrated and lashed out at his PSW. His PSW attempted to restrain him as he was upset the train was not moving and demanding someone make the "man" move it. Another passenger, familiar with people like the man, stepped in and was accidentally kicked in the "baggage" area.
It sounds ugly. I can promise you it probably was ugly. I have too many stories of similar situations with my sister and I can't bring myself to share them. But when there have been times where the public has assisted, and not often with good intentions, these people then scold my parents (or me) for not having my sister in a group home, or in an institution, or for just being out in public with her. Hurtful stuff really. I feel for my mom the most in these situations. She's put up with a lot. She was incredibly strong when we were younger but now that I'm a mom myself, and dealing with a child with her own issues (Asutism Spectrum Disorder) my mom calls me and cries. Mostly out of frustration. Sometimes out of humiliation. And often out of desperation.
Be kind. That's all I ask.
Monday, April 20, 2015
Ask once. If no response, leave it alone - Karma will eventually put on her cape
The worst, inconsiderate habit that appears to be a growing trend on public transit is people who listen to music, play Candy Crush (or some other game) or watch movies and videos without headphones or ear buds.
I do not understand how anyone thinks this is acceptable.
On a LSE train this morning, LG wrote in to This Crazy Train describing how she was subjected to the audial assault of music being played on a smart phone with the speaker cranked and laced with all kinds of profanity. She had asked the person if he could please use ear buds. This was met with a look of annoyance and her request was ignored.
On a packed train, some of us will suffer through a lot in order to keep our seat. I never expect anyone to move. You shouldn't have to. Ask once. If no response, go with your gut. In LG's case, it was best to just back down.
At Union, this d-bag also shoved his way off the train.
Ah, Mondays ... they bring out the best in people, don't they?
I do not understand how anyone thinks this is acceptable.
On a LSE train this morning, LG wrote in to This Crazy Train describing how she was subjected to the audial assault of music being played on a smart phone with the speaker cranked and laced with all kinds of profanity. She had asked the person if he could please use ear buds. This was met with a look of annoyance and her request was ignored.
On a packed train, some of us will suffer through a lot in order to keep our seat. I never expect anyone to move. You shouldn't have to. Ask once. If no response, go with your gut. In LG's case, it was best to just back down.
At Union, this d-bag also shoved his way off the train.
Ah, Mondays ... they bring out the best in people, don't they?
Monday, October 4, 2010
Are we riding on a traaaAAAIIINNN? On a traaaAAACCCKKK?
This morning, there was a boy about 7 riding into Toronto with his mother. True, this young lad spoke at a volume best suited for a bar on a night when a live band is playing, but was it not obvious he had some "issues"?
Perhaps I pick up on this faster than others because I have a sister who is developmentally-delayed. But I totally get how annoying it was that he ended every sentence that was a question by drawing out the last word and in a higher decibel. Yeah, that got old pretty quick.
It didn't help that his mother was encouraging him by having him talk to his dad on her Blackberry for most of the train ride.
This is probably not a daily jaunt for them so she wasn't wise to how the mornings 'go' on a train.
It's 40 minutes many won't get back but at least it's not a daily assault.
Perhaps I pick up on this faster than others because I have a sister who is developmentally-delayed. But I totally get how annoying it was that he ended every sentence that was a question by drawing out the last word and in a higher decibel. Yeah, that got old pretty quick.
It didn't help that his mother was encouraging him by having him talk to his dad on her Blackberry for most of the train ride.
This is probably not a daily jaunt for them so she wasn't wise to how the mornings 'go' on a train.
It's 40 minutes many won't get back but at least it's not a daily assault.
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