I am slightly miffed
The loser who assaulted me today
Originally uploaded by dynamist.
The kid in the picture above doesn’t look very harmful, right? He’s reasonably well-dressed, anyway. But actually, he is quite a large fellow, and likes to assault random women with the help of an equally vile friend of his.
I’ve just spent hours with the police (after a nearly two hour wait to actually see a police officer), telling and re-telling every detail of what happened to me today, and I’m in no mood to blog it all. What I will say is this to my female readers: Don’t be fooled into thinking that, just because you’re minding your own business, some punk isn’t going to decide you need messing with. Sadly, scumbags like this have no problem with launching unprovoked attacks on women. If you dare to wear something as revealing as a pair of Levi’s and a long winter coat, you may not only be physically assaulted but have names like “slut” and “whore” screamed at you on a crowded Tube platform. About fifteen minutes of assault and abuse may pass before anyone watching this happen will say a word, or do anything to otherwise intervene.
Someone will at some point tell me that the best course of action in these cases is to take the unwanted touching and violence and not say a word, just walk away. It’s not really like me to let things slide, though, and I don’t think anyone else should. (I’m talking about confronting people who are probably unarmed; it didn’t actually occur to me to go to the police at all. Antoine told me to do so afterwards, when I rang him and was very shaken and pissed off.)
When I was coming up the escalator at Piccadilly Circus, just after my assailants had followed me down the platform and shouted the same filthy names at me, the man behind me asked, “Are you okay after all that?” He explained that he would have said something to these two, but didn’t want to make things worse for me.
I know I’ve banged this drum before, but the fact is that the police do not and logistically cannot protect us from this kind of harm. In this country, I am not even allowed to carry pepper spray or mace to ward off assaults like the one I suffered today. In whose world is this the right and proper order of things?
NB If you know who this POS is, please contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40. The assault took place on the southbound Bakerloo line platform at Baker Street, and the abuse continued from there to Piccadilly Circus.
UPDATE: 8 December, 2006: One of my attackers has been arrested, his partner in crime soon to follow.
Filed under: Life
What a horrible experience! But I totally agree with you on sticking up for yourself. If everyone adopts the “just ignore them and hope they go away” defense, the bad behavior never gets discouraged.
At least a few people need to make the sacrifice of time and energy to make the bastards pay, and I’m glad you did what you did.
Thanks, Chris. If this hadn’t happened in public, with lots of people around, and I hadn’t been confident that they weren’t armed, I probably would have just run away. Granted, the people who watched them assault me and then abuse me verbally didn’t do me much good…
What’s strange is that I kept veering between thinking I was doing the right thing and thinking that I was just asking for more physical attack and abuse. A very loud voice in my head did tell me to just walk away and avoid them, but this wasn’t the first time I’ve been interfered with on public transport in London, and the last time I was very cowardly in my response. I have regretted that ever since.
I don’t believe it is moral to expect others to protect you when you are unwilling to protect yourself. Sadly, this country doesn’t allow for the latter, and the system in place to do the former is utterly broken.
The amazing thing is that no one said anything.
What did they do? Did they grab you? Would you rather not say? I just can’t believe nobody did or said anything. I sure wouldn’t have stood idly by while somebody got attacked; verbally or otherwise. Were all the people on the train lobotomized? Horrifying.
So sorry to hear you went through this. Please, please publicize this — get the photo out, even to a TV station if you can. You do a service for others by doing it. There’s a chance that this kid will do this again and again, and possibly escalate to more brutality.
Amy, I would rather not go into detail on what exactly they did, because I have family members who read this blog and I do not wish to upset them any more than they are. (Of course, the police have the full story.) Suffice to say the assault and abuse was both physically violent and sexual in nature.
After about 15 minutes, a woman (of course) finally turned around and told the guys that they were repulsive and should be ashamed of themselves. They started calling her a slut and told her to “go back to where [she] came from” (she sounded North American). Eventually, a very big man did come and stand right next to the guys, telling them to shut up and leave me alone. They weren’t really bothered, just continued calling me a slut and making obscene gestures at me. I did thank him, though I was too shaken to do so profusely enough, I’m afraid - I just wanted out of there.
Help out Jackie
If you live in London, go over to her personal blog and see if you recognize the piece of garbage…
The old scribbler in me says this is a red-hot story. I hope The Sun’s editor thinks so, too.
Jackie,
These are the times that is hardest of all times for me to understand how experiences like these are meant to be loving or produce grace or connect us all. It’s really hard not to judge and be angry.
It hurts me, deeply, that you had to go through this and I’m so happy you are safe.
Love,
Tim
I fear London is lost. The real horrors of masculinity are unchecked while the imaginary ones bring humilation…
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2006/11/09/do0901.xml
Best wishes, Jackie.
Mind The Gap–Between Civilization And Its Discontents
As Glenn Reynolds writes, “If you’re in London, Jackie Danicki could use your help with a photo identification”….
[…] Kind off of the political road, but came across this on Instapundit. Jackie Danicki was attacked by a group of thugs in the subway, and has a picture of one of them. If you live in London, she is asking for help with photo identification. In Britain, every citizen apparently can’t just carry a weapon, including pepper spray, so she couldn’t fight them off. Apparently no one helped her either. If you live in Britain, mainly London, head over to her blog and see if you can identify her attacker. […]
Tim, you know what? The gift for me is life, and that I am even more grateful to have the one that I do. As the cops pointed out to me, those guys could have easily pushed me onto the tracks and killed me (a guy was murdered that way yesterday at another Tube station). From now on, I’ll stand only with my back against the wall when the train is not on the tracks, and I will be much more alert.
Another gift: I will never again fail to appreciate just how vigilant Antoine is in looking out for me. Sometimes I would tease him, saying, “Now really, who’s going to mess with me?” when he would tell me not to take certain trains or buses after a certain time of night, warn me not to walk home in the dark, etc. No more. (Antoine also called the British Transport Police to light a fire under their asses when I’d been sitting in the control room at Piccadilly Circus for more than an hour, waiting for an officer to come take a statement. Within minutes, a cop had called me on my mobile and promised he would personally come see to me if no one had arrived within the next ten minutes. Thank you, as ever, Antoine.)
You really need to give us more background.
For one, how did you manage to get such a clear picture of the guy without him going beserk?
Description of the other guy?
Sorry, Chuck - I was too shaken after this happened to think about providing a detailed rundown for the blogosphere. Also, I wasn’t in the mood after my saga with the police.
The guy was already berating me verbally (this was after the physical assault) when I took the picture. Maybe it was stupid of me to whip out my camera, but I am defiant that way. After I took it, he said, “You dumb bitch, the flash didn’t go off!” I told him I had plenty of light and didn’t need flash. It was right about that time that the man I mentioned in my comment above got on the train and stood between the guys and me.
The other male was about 5′6″, also black (but slightly lighter skinned), with short and very curly hair, wearing a black sweatshirt and black Nike sweatpants/tracksuit trousers (you can just make out his legs and front of torso in the picture).
NB I should note here that the physical assault will have been captured on CCTV at the station (if the tapes aren’t wiped, which I am told is routine on a daily basis).
For what it’s worth, I just posted the picture on my blog in case it could help. Good luck.
Thank you, chaika (and Glenn and Ed and Tom and Jim and everyone else who has linked to this). I appreciate the help very much.
It’s after 2AM and I need to be up at the crack of dawn for a conference tomorrow, but will moderate further comments awaiting approval in the morning.
I’m from Tennessee, and while us “Red Staters” always get called yahoos and such, this guy wouldn’t have been able to get away with this in my neck of the woods, especially not in a crowded bus/subway.
If you haven’t already, I’d think about getting this photo on the TV news….you got an interesting (albeit horrific) story to tell and a perfectly focused picture to go with it. Dont let him get away with this, the next gal might be even less fortunate than you.
[…] Sometimes I wonder if it is already too late to save Britain. Earlier, I linked to an article that told about two uniformed Royal Marines who were denied admittance to a bar because they were in uniform and because the bar did not want "aggressive" people on the premises. That is a bad sign. This one is even worse. I’ve just spent hours with the police (after a nearly two hour wait to actually see a police officer), telling and re-telling every detail of what happened to me today, and I’m in no mood to blog it all. What I will say is this to my female readers: Don’t be fooled into thinking that, just because you’re minding your own business, some punk isn’t going to decide you need messing with. Sadly, scumbags like this have no problem with launching unprovoked attacks on women. If you dare to wear something as revealing as a pair of Levi’s and a long winter coat, you may not only be physically assaulted but have names like “slut” and “whore” screamed at you on a crowded Tube platform. About fifteen minutes of assault and abuse may pass before anyone watching this happen will say a word, or do anything to otherwise intervene. […]
My God, Jackie, I am so sorry, and so pissed off by this. I hope they find the little shits who did this to you. This is exactly the reason they give for all those bloody surveillance cameras covering this country, so I hope to God these ones were actually working and the tapes didn’t get wiped. Well done to you for standing up for yourself, and well done to Antoine for telling you to go to the police. Not so well done to the people who just stood there saying and doing nothing. There are days when I most definitely do not miss London, and this is one of them.
Jackie,
I am so sorry that no one had the balls to come immediately to your defense. Unbelievable!
Good on’ya Jackie! Well reported now, here down-under, vis Tim Blair.
We can’t ID him from here, but we can sure as hell admire you from afar for your good old Yankee “Don’t mess with me” attitude.
Glad you are safe…
So I’m guessing that with British gun laws being what they are, they were probably unarmed, as you said?
You can’t even carry pepper spray? WTF! How about something like a club/bat, or maybe a heavy cane? I think if this is a common occurrence on the trains, maybe you should start thinking creatively about self-defense weapons. I dunno, maybe it’s just my (American) urban paranoia instinct. What about a knife? (And crucially, could you see yourself actually using it?)
I’m not saying you should become London’s Tube Vigilante, but you never know when you might really need it.
People suck for not assisting you. That’s just beyond the freakin’ pale. I do hope the police get those worthless punks.
Come to Singapore, a former colony of Great Britain, here the law is respected- such thugs will get sent to jail, caned several times til they can’t sit down for a month- and left in jail for about 6 months. I would think in Britain, currently, the same thugs if arrested would have several Civil Rights QCs lining up to defend their rights and to rail against the racist establishment. then a riot in one of your African dominated suburbs will result. End result? What a sick society. Where have all the sane people gone?
I heard this story. Somehow I hope its not true. There was an attempted rape in a UK Subway train. The police arrested both the victim and the would be rapists. The woman who was small was carrying a concealed knife; she had been raped before and wanted to protect herself. She was placed behind bars for 4 years. Not too sure what happened to the man, probably let off cause he didn’t succeed to rape the woman.
Next time pop a cap in his ass. Better yet, geld him and do society a favor.
Oh wait, you’re in Londonistan. My bad.
Just be glad you don’t live in Marseilles.
What a surprise. A product of the welfare state and the north African colonies acting in an unbecoming manner? Say it isn’t so! He shouldn’t have come out of that train with his eyes still in his head. When did the criminals stop being afraid of us? Oh yeah, when the gov’t decided it would make us more dependent on them to remove our right to defend ourselves. If some of the commoners get killed, oh well…
That kid wouldn’t be alive after pulling something like that 50 years ago.
But a society in which you are forbidden to carry any means to defend yourself with, and in which you are thus utterly at the mercy of someone bigger than you, is still morally superior, right?
Everybody on the planet should be encouraged and if necessary forced to live this way, no?
This sucks. Reminds me of our convo in London about self-defense class….Be well.
London was once such a civilized place. I truly enjoyed my time living there, but no longer. Such is what becomes of nearly every liberal utopia I’ve witnessed.
In London, its especially ironic as the myopic British parliment can’t see the impact their constant and petty bans (especially on self defense) have on the castrated nation’s morale.
I am truly sorry for what you experienced, but can’t say I am surprised. Your only hope is probably to return to the states. At least here you still run the off chance of finding someone who cares enough to intervene.
Seems to me that Britain may want to revisit their gun laws.
But, then again, I’m an American.
Ms. Danicki,
I am terribly sorry that you had to endure this barbarism; and as a man, I am ashamed that no one dared to properly put these cowards in their place.
Urk. Your attacker looks a bit androgynous. I wonder if he’s getting testosterone injections?
Hi Jackie,
Hope you’re okay. Be mad! It helps (for a while). We’re living in a CCTV culture now–police don’t need to prevent crime when their jobs are measured by other targets. I’ll add Baker Street to the list of stations I caution my wife about.
No need to publish this, but if you want someone to stand next to you at the station at any point over the next few days, give me a shout. (I just realized you may not remember me–Adriana introduced us last year). Hang in there…
So why am I happy to be in the United States where most states now allow concealed carry. You say they were unarmed, but one never really knows, and in the States thugs like these don’t really know who is and who is not armed. This gives them a little something to think about before they attack. Other than that all I can say is I hope you are never a victim again.
God Bless America, God Save The Republic
What a shitty experience! I hope they catch the bastard.
Someone once, I forget who, said she was so very tired of being sexually assaulted whenever she was at a bar or a club, not extreme assaults, but stuff like name calling, uncalled for suggestion, pinching, slaps in the ass etc.
But the thing that annoyed her also was the fact that when something like that happened, and she felt the degradation of the treatment, she also got annoyed with the fact that when a friend or a stranger stepped in to help her, she also had to be thankful for the help.
It was like, after being assaulted an demeaned, she would end up being indebted to a person, because some other person wronged her, and this just undermines the fucked up powerbalance. In stead of being her own person she suddenly finds herself victimized by one person, and indebted to another.
So whilst it was indeed very nice of the woman, and the man to step in, don’t beat yourself up about thanking profusely enough. The intervention was AGAINST the criminals, and just because they targeted you doesn’t put you in any real debt to other people.
Now I’m not big on moral theory, but I feel that anyone should feel obliged to fight injustice when they see it, and the fact that you’ve got this obligation does not mean you should expect thanks for doing it.
So my point is simply, if the fellow who helped out is a decent sort, then he wouldn’t expect to be thanked, if he thinks you owe him something, then its his problem.
So don’t feel obligated.
Let us know if they catch and arrest that fat f*ck.
Really sorry to hear this has happened to you, it worries me that this can happen at all let alone in so public environment. Hope you quickly get over it.
For what it’s worth, I have just emailed a link to this site to my local paper in Southwark (incl Elephant & Castle, where your train would have been heading) in the hope that they may publish the image, so if he’s from south London he may be identified.
Hey Jackie. Just read this story because of a post on Stuart Bruce’s blog. I can only say how appalled I was when reading this story (and to think this probably happens several times every day) and hope you already got over the worst of this horrible event just a little bit by now (although I cannot begin to imagine how it must feel ike so I certainly wouldn’t want to give the impression you should just get over it like that). I guess it will take a very long time to be able to take the tube again without the least bit of worry; that’s probably the worst effect of what these guys did… Anyway: I hope you feel supported by the many reactions on this blog (and other blogs as well) who totally condemn what these guys did and by the fact that many many people are utterly disgusted by this form of social (well totally antisocial) conduct. “Funny”thing is that I was just talking to some friends the other week about how my wife and I enjoy going to London (in comparison, for example, to some other bigger cities such as Brussels or Paris), because we have always had a really safe feeling there, with mostly friendly people around. How naive… Anyway: while I was ‘here’ I’ve been snooping around a bit and also noticed that your boyfriend is the grandson of the writer Exbrayat? Must be really special. Exbrayat used to be one of the authors I enjoyed quite a bit back in secondary school and in college (I studied ao French). Remarkable how one thing leads to other, especially on the web. Anyway: take care!
PS: also having read your bio, I was quite impressed by your professional background and I get the impression you would be an excellent speaker at the next Euroblog Conference (16-17 March 2007 - Ghent (Belgium)), viz. http://www.euroblog2007.org. I know this is so not the time nor the place to be pitching anybody about conferences, but should you be at all interested in presenting a case or paper, meeting interesting people from across Europe and all of that in the nice and historical city of Ghent, just let me know and I’ll fill you in on the details. And forgive me for the business-as-usual part of this comment - it was not intended in that way, but “one should make hay while the sun shines”, and “there is no time like the present”, and so on. All the best!
Just a quick comment to say I am overwhelmed by the response to this, both here in my comments and in my inbox and on loads of blogs. Thank you all so much. (I actually got the Tube home last night after my police interview; I wasn’t scared at all, but as usual with being on the Tube during rush hour, annoyance overwhelmed all other emotions.)
[…] Just a quick post to say that I am truly overwhelmed by the response - in my comments, via email, and on so many blogs - to the post about my assault. I cannot thank everyone individually at this time, but please know that your support means a lot. I was unsure as to whether or not I should blog about what happened, but my desire to stop those two punks from doing what they did to me to any other woman (I doubt they’d lay a hand on a man) won out. You make me glad it did. Posted by Jackie Danicki | […]
I assume none of the people who are surprised by the lack of intervention by passers-by are British. This is the norm. What you have to understand is that anyone who takes any action against thugs like this runs the risk of prosecution themselves.
I’m really sorry to hear about this, Jackie. I hope you’re OK. Couldn’t've happened to a less deserving person.
Take some Aikido lessons before they ban that too.
All the best.
Thank God you’re alright. I hope they get this guy - fast.
hey jackie - posted his pic and your story on dailygut.com
Consider yourself “lucky”. Their behaviour will only get worse if they’re allowed to get away with it. For the sake of others, don’t lket this go.
Where are the real “men” in London?
This probably happens several times a day on public transportation in and around London, so I’m sure you aren’t alone in your trauma.
I think England needs concealed carry laws and a rollback of self-defense bans, but I’m in a distinct minority.
London is making it hard for even the olympic pistol shooters to shoot in the country, so the trend is still to a more helpless public, not less.
On a cautionary note: it would take years of HTH self defense, like akido, for a 100 lb woman to be able to hold off even ONE 200 lb attacker in a confined space, mush less two.
And running could get you herded into a private area, or the tracks.
On the bright spot, no decent people have any weapons!
God bless you and best wishes for a complete mental recovery from this trauma. All things pass.
So pepper spray is illegal. Carry it anyway. Are the courts in England so depraved that they would prosecute a woman who legitimately uses the stuff to defend herself from attackers much stronger that her? I don’t know anything about the jury system there, but on my side of the pond no jury would convict you.
Well, I admire your guts for taking his photo. Absolutely the right thing to do, but a bit of a risk. Hopefully someone can identify the bastard.
Actually, shouting back (at the beginning) may be enough to stop it. “Get your hands off me you fat f*ck! Go home and fondle yo’ mama…she’s waiting for you!” And leaning in and getting in their faces. The few times I’ve had to do this it works…at least on a silent grope, not sure about if they’re already drawing attention to themselves with their belligerent comments. Just be louder and meaner.
The UK is messed up…their victim disarmament program is very uncivilized and it’s more dangerous for women, so it’s really a women’s issue. Any society that won’t defend its womanhood is in its death gasps.
Can you get an American friend or relative to ship you a Tazer? I wouldn’t care about their legality in the UK. You have to protect your person and your life and the stakes may be even higher now that you’re aggressively pursuing your attacker on the blogs and news.
I’m sorry you went through this. I have always felt very safe when visiting London, but it’s been a while since I’ve been back. I may skip London in my future travels. My family all lives in the countryside anyway.
[…] He assulted Jackie Danicki on the London Underground. The assault took place on the southbound Bakerloo line platform at Baker Street, and the abuse continued from there to Piccadilly Circus. If you know who this POS is, please contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40. The assult was reported. [link] […]
I am so sorry about this. I hope you’re okay and that they catch that scum. Stay safe.
I worked in London for several years recently and it’s sad to say but this kind of thing was all too common. In that short time I had to brawl three punks who attacked my cab driver — while my 8 months pregnant wife looked on; physically stop a young woman from attacking a female senior citizen on the Tube near Aldgate; and shout down a gang of teens who were terrorizing a a group of women on the DLR near South Quay.
And I can’t count how many times I saw low grade violence and intimidation: from idiots throwing stones at marathoners on the Isle of Dogs, to rowers on the docks being harassed mercilessly because they were white and female, and everything else in between.
I was born in England and love the England I once knew. But it’s rapidly disappearing. And the English have no one to blame but themselves for letting it happen.
Heinlein was right
Liberals like to make fun of the Robert Heinlein saying that “An armed society is a polite society.” There are plenty of arms in Iraq, they’ll say, and things don’t seem too polite over there.
Yeah, well Iraq is in a state of war. London…
[…] Jackie Danicki (of Samizdata, one of my favorite blogs) was assaulted and needs help to ID this turkey: Help if you are in London, if you can. Published in: […]
Jacks, first and foremost - I am so glad you are ok. Well, as ok as one can be after your ordeal. I can only imagine what you have been through, and I am thankful you had the courage to take his photo and expose this little prick to the world.
As for the other folks on the train not stopping this sooner - it doesn’t surprise me. It saddens me, but does not surprise me. I am happy to hear others say they would have stepped in. I hope so. I truly do. But I can guarantee if this happened in San Francisco, no one would say anything - mainly for fear of retaliation (or at least they would not step in initially). It is simply human nature to want to protect oneself.
However - I am a diehard optimist and hope that one day we, as humans, can learn to stand up for one another and not allow these abusive situations to happen. To anyone.
Take good care of yourself woman. I am so proud of you taking a stand. xoxoxoxo
I don’t usually read your blog - came from Samizdata - but this is appalling. Hope you’re OK there, and I hope these egregious turds get what’s truly coming to ‘em.
I wish you the best of luck in finding the miscreant and having him punished to the full extenet of the law.
I have linked this on my blog and put in a bit of an on going rant of mine on the topic of Feminine Protection, by which I mean a weapon to equalize the disparity in force between men and women e.g. firearms or modern bang nakh.
Really awful story. From the picture it looks to me as if the others in the carriage are not so much afraid to act as enjoying it. Were they on the thug’s side?
“I assume none of the people who are surprised by the lack of intervention by passers-by are British. This is the norm. What you have to understand is that anyone who takes any action against thugs like this runs the risk of prosecution themselves.”
Indeed - we have a legal system formidable *only* to respectable people who act in self-defence or make un-PC remarks. What does the criminal underclass care about a caution or some similarly trivial punishment if they ever get caught? They’ll only rise in the esteem of their kind, and people who live on welfare and crime hardly need to worry about putting off employers. Anti-social behaviour orders are widely considered a badge of honour by young thugs.
Jackie,
I am *so incredibly sorry* to hear this happened to you, and that, if any, few came to your defense. An assault like this is a violation and invasion that most people can only imagine. I will do anything I can to help from the US in bringing justice to you — and to your attackers. For the time being, I offer you a very warm, long virtual hug and my gratitude in general that you are safe now.
I agree that it was a horrible thing for these guys to do. There’s a shocking level of cowardice when it comes to bystanders these days. Those who do come forward and get beaten to all hell get reported in the media which further improves our overall sense of cowardice.
On another point, I read all the comments and I didn’t notice Ms.Danicki making any reference to this being a cultural issue. SO I don’t really see the point one of the commenters was trying to make about their race. Assholes come in all colours and flavours. These assholes happened to be black.
How appalling, Jackie! I live in London also and I was thinking that I had never been berated on the Tube - but then I’m a 48 year old man and not an appealing target for this kind of scummy character.
I am so sorry this thing happened. This is not really typical of London, folks. Except for one thing, that characteristic British reticence to get involved. This is not the ‘done thing’ at all and I think they are so appalled that they tend to freeze and pretend it isn’t happening.
Someone on Tim Blair’s blog suggested carrying aerosol oven cleaner. It’s toxic but not lethal, it’s legal, and you can always claim you bought it to clean your oven. Young Mr. Subway Bully would think long and hard before molesting someone else if he got a well-deserved faceful of that.
I wish I had’ve been there. Nothing makes me angrier than assholes who abuse women.
If I had’ve been there, London police might have been booking me for attempted murder, or worse.
I’m sorry to hear about your rough time. Glad you’re okay!
Jackie did have one weapon the government hasn’t taken away yet: Her camera.
If you have a blog and want to see this guy caught, please spread the word. If you don’t have a blog, please show it to somebody who does.
I am impressed that you had the guts to pull out a camera and get the guy’s photo. That was no doubt a risk, but it hopefully means there is some chance of catching the bastard.
London Assault
If you’re in the London area in the UK, can you help find this man?
[…] UPDATE: Wouldn’t it be great if internets could make the world a safer place? Jackie Danicki was assaulted on the London Underground the other day, and managed to get a photo of one of the attackers. Can you identify him? […]
Clearly, in a sane society, a passerby would have booted the moron’s stupid arse up and down the station, inflicting such pain and humiliation the thought of doing it again wouldn’t enter his cretinous skull.
However, sorry to say, political correctness has elevated non-intervention to almost the only “correct” response in London in these 1984-ish times. Good samaritans — usually upright, tax-paying types — tend to get prosecuted by HM’s police with greater zeal than the sort of cockroach you have pictured.
Good on you for taking the photo. Hopefully he’s hunted down.
Even though this is the first I’ve heard of you Jackie, I’m glad you’re mostly unharmed from your encounter with those “creatures”. Sad that England and London have fallen in such a state and that few of your fellow subjects are willing to get involved. Even here in the People’s Repbulic of Boulder Colorado this would not stand.
Since you folks are barred from possesion adequate weapons of self defense, it would be a good idea to lean at least a few martial arts tactics and pain points to help fend off such scum in the future.
How dare they? I lived in London for a while. The crazy thing is that these lowlife will be local, they are likely known by the police somewhere in their patch, but will your photo be doing their rounds - I doubt it. I look forward to you getting these scum.
“anyone who takes any action against thugs like this runs the risk of prosecution themselves.”
Which pretty much defines immorality. Who was it who first said “when the law is an ass then decent citizens will despise the law”?
Good luck, Jackie. I hope that you are not attacked again, and that this thug is quickly caught.
Ordinary people should be more willing to intervene in situations like this. There are more good people out there than there are goons, we oughtn’t to have anything to fear by standing against this sort of thing in a public place. Sadly, our national institutions have encouraged us by their actions to look the other way whenever trouble is rearing its ugly head. When are we going to take responsibility, think for ourselves and be prepared to act on our judgement? Let’s see if in an age where so many people are becoming empowered by being able to blog their experiences to the web–images and all–a little public spirited fair dealing can be so easily misrepresented and clamped down upon by our *government knows best* establishment.
And if they do catch him, can he expect anything more than a figurative slap on the wrist?
Sorry, it is very late (1.17 AM) and I have been out all day and most of the night, but just wanted to say one thing: I have been sexually harassed (but not physically assaulted, as in this case) on British public transport once before, and it was by three white guys who clearly were investment bank employees or other City types. As I stated in the opening paragraph of this post, at least one of the guys who did this to me did not seem the type at all; I would not be surprised to learn that he came from a respectable, middle-class (in the British sense) family.
This is not a race thing. Only a collectvisit would think otherwise.
I’m sorry to hear that. But well done Jackie for getting the snap. Picked the wrong person, didn’t they ?
Alas such things are not uncommon in London, along with everyone else looking the other way.
This sounds a lot like what New York City was like back in the day, when criminals owned the underground and the streets. But then a series of tough mayors (Koch, but especially Giulliani), the healthy example set by Bernard Goetz, a vastly expanded prison system and 40,000 somewhat trigger-happy cops turned things around. You should move to New York and leave the English to deal with the consequences of their own ruinous political choices.
I’m sorry sweetheart, that’s just shit. I feel sad to be human becouse of shitheads like this :mad: Looks like a piece of shit to me, I’d fucking break his little cunt face in. The Police are shit at their job, try Crimewatch at the BBC.
Sorry again sweetie:cry::neutral:
Sadly Jackie experienced what is called Bystander Apathy. It is a well-known social psychological phenomenon that came to prominence when Kitty Genovese was stabbed to death in New York while 37 watched and did not call the police.
The response of the person Jackie mentioned is classic attention shifting behaviour that works by focusing the issue on Jackie, and not their own non-action. While it is easy to express shock at this kind of behaviour it is surprisingly common. It’s a form of denial. A defence mechanism.
I lived in London for a semester whilst at Uni, and have travelled back many times since then. The yob culture is much more ‘in your face’ now, and they are clearly unafraid of doing so as they are protected by the New Labour/MultiCulti tolerance for bad bahavior. On my last visit, I was waiting at South Ken for a Piccadilly Line to the West End, and several teen boys announced their arrival with loud trash talk and physical boisterousness. Lucky for me, my 6′1″ brother was with me, and we looked at each other at the same time and started to make our way further down the platform and away from them. Knowing my brother, he’s not have tolerated seeing anything like what you endured, and would have intervened. It’s just his way.
I am not trying to play Devil’s advocate, but it is possible that some would have liked to have intervened but were afraid as they have intervened before and paid a price for it. I live in Chicago, and witnessed a mentally ill woman get on the train, and she became fixated with a random man sitting opposite her and minding his own business. She got up out of her sear, started screaming at him, and them began to add hits, punches, at scratches to her barrage. I tried to get past her so that I could ring the Emergency Call button, and she began to come at me. I very forcefully told her to “Back Off!” and hit the call button as we stopped at the next station. The Conductor came back, I told her what was going on (while the assaultee sat like a mute), and asked he to call the police. Her response was to shout to the rest of the traincar about whether or not “we should call the police and keep everyone late from work.” Not a peep of support came from the other passengers, and the assaultee acted as if he wanted nothing to do with me. I then demanded that, if she insisted on not calling the police, the Conductor should at least kick the woman off the train, which she grudgingly did.
Another chance to intervene came up when I was on my way to work (at a large Chicago hospital), and I witnessed a Mother pick up her fidgety 2 year old and throw him into a seat. The child was keening in the strangest, most silent way, and I couldn’t hold myself back. The car was pretty silent, but for her shouting “Shut the f**k up”, etc., and I called out to her and said “Do you really have to treat him like that?” The “F you’s” came fast and furious. I then said to her “I know kids can test your nerves, but he’s a baby, don’t talk to him like that.” All the while, no one said a thing besides me. She yelled back ” You want him?” and “Don’t tell me how to talk to my child, B***h!” I told her that, as I worked at a hospital, I was required by law to report any incidence of child abuse that I witnessed and, if she wanted me to take him, I would. God, I was so scared! There was a med student on the train who witnessed the exchange and, rather than back me up (as he was obligated by both the law and simle morality to do) he turned up the volume on his i-Pod. This woman got off at the next station, but not before I was in tears at witnessing this little boy’s abuse and seeing how no one would back me up and try to intervene.
If any of the other witnesses have been through something like this, it can change you, make you fear coming to another person’s aid. It’s no excuse, but it’s possible. As for me, I would have come to your aid like the woman nearby you did, but I would have been well nigh terrified while doing so.
Jackie,
I found out about this on another site and there was a link to your blog and the whole story. (I go on some political sites). I am sorry for what happened to you. From my own experience, I think crazy things can happen in any large city. I have had my own experiences in N.Y.C. People can be crap. I got spit on one evening. Yes, he spit on my head, my blonde hair and I was stunned and didn’t report it to police. The train was not so crowded. This was back in the mid 90’s and there was much racial tension during the O.J. trial. It was horrible. I don’t know what to say to make you feel better but any type of abuse or attack be it physical or verbal can be very hurtful. You seem strong and tough. So hang in there. I wish I could help.
Beth,
WTF! How about something like a club/bat, or maybe a heavy cane?
No. If you carry anything at all with the intention of defending yourself with it, that is regarded as a serious offence. People have been successfully prosecuted for carrying a pepper-pot, never mind pepper-spray. If something you are carrying has a sharp edge, it may qualify as a knife and carry a mandatory prison sentence. This doesn’t of course inhibit thugs, but it makes the general population easier prey.
Jackie, you know you have my best wishes.
Yes, and I believe (in too much of a rush to check this now) that a man was held on remand for a year, waiting to be put on trial for using his karate skills to defend himself. (IIRC, a guy jumped him, he used his karate to throw the guy off, the guy landed on his knife, and the victim was arrested and put on trial for using karate as a weapon. He was eventually freed, but still. Again, if anyone cares to look this case up and post a correction or details, feel free.)
Self-defense is just not the done thing here.
Squander Two, harry m, and in particular Sharon Langworthy get closest to why strangers are reluctant to intervene.
Firstly, the situation is not always clear, or not as clear as it might superficially appear. I recall an incident 35 years ago in Manchester, when an elderly woman collapsed in the street. I was the first to reach her, followed by a couple of other people. When she spoke, it became immediately obvious that she had tripped, rather than collapsed, because she was blind drunk. She became very abusive and it became obvious that there was little to be done except let her stagger on. Then a strange thing happened. As the first “helper” on the scene, the unexpected outcome of the incident now became somehow *my* fault. The other bystanders, through body language and facial expression, made this abundantly clear; evidently I was at fault for somehow inveigling them into becoming involved with this sozzled old girl rather the helpless old lady they were already preening themselves for coming to the assistance of.
Secondly, there is the danger, which I have witnessed on a couple of occasions, of both attacker and victim resenting the intrusion and uniting to turn on the helper; a bizarre response which is not just restricted to “domestic” arguments.
Thirdly, there is the danger of personal injury, of getting stabbed or beaten for your trouble, and, as Sharon’s post might suggest, not necessarily by the attacker.
Finally, as many people have commented, we live in a risk-averse, victimist culture. Had I been present and been tempted to intervene, there is always the weird but not enitrely unrealistic fear at the back of your mind that, as well as probably getting hurt physically, as a middle-aged White man I could easily end up convicted of racially aggravated assault and in all probability, given the sexual nature of the incident, put on the sex offenders’ register for good measure. The possibility of six months on the nonce wing for going to the aid of a damsel in distreess is a powerful disincentive.
All that said, I don’t agree with the commenters who recommend the carrying of illegal and dangerous weapons for self-defence. There are an awful lot of mentally unstable people in London and there are an even larger number of nervous and frightened people about. Ready access to knives, guns, sprays and the like in the crowded conditions of the city and its public transport systems is just too likely to lead, in the chilling euphemism of the war reporter, to serious collateral damage. Jackie’s most effective defence is probably to scream blue murder at the toerags.
Ugh. Really sorry to hear about this.
Sorry you had to experrience this, but I think this is the “real” London not the version peddled by our media of a wonderful Epcot experience. If people did not help it is because of the Thought Police and the prospect of being arrested when the thugs make false accusations against them…………………a man is onto a losing proposition…………….as a woman the police will not believe you provoked them, but a white man would be in big trouble with the race card getting him fingerprinted and DNA-sampled, and probably charged with “racially-aggravated abuse”
This country inverts all the values you might believe to be moral - it twists every good action and rewards every anti-social behaviour…………….it is a horrible place. Just as in Communist Germany people now lean forward to whisper things to friends so the Thought Police do not hear and arrest them……………..there is real anger at the way this country feels to be underOccupation by Alien Ideologies - it may look like a British Government but it has perverted every value that decent people hold dear
What an appalling incident! But what nobody has asked yet is why the words “slut” and “whore” were used as insults - as they seem to be routinely in all these similar kinds of incidents? Do these scumbags hate all women? Or is it only women they believe to be young and attractive - irrespective of how modestly they are dressed? I hate to say this, but is there a religious dimension to this? Are some of these young men theoretically Muslim so they are regarding all women who are not veiled as “fair game” for this type of abuse?
What a shame that the British chose not to stay out of the war that broke out among France, Germany, and Russian in 1914. That war claimed many of Britains best men before they had the opportunity to procreate. I like to think that had these men lived, they would left behind descendants who would long ago have put a stop to this. As it is, not even their ghosts were sitting by your side to protect you.
Jackie, do the British have the political freedom to petition their government for changes to the law that would broadly permit self defense? What is stopping them from fighting to save their society?
With hindsight, would it have been best to pull the emergency cord on the tube?
Hope they find him.
[…] *I haven’t read them all, but none of the 36 comments on the Libertarian Samizdata story or the 85 comments on Danicki’s own website includes the word ‘poster’ or ‘reward’. […]
Sorry this happened to you.
Don’t get over it. Get ANGRIER. The behavior of the thugs AND the bystanders should infuriate you and any decent human being on the planet.
I understand the great risks of self-defense in Brit today, but it could have been a lot worse.
Stand your ground and your right to defend yourself. It doesn’t matter if your government recognizes your right. It is yours, regardless.
[…] Paris, meanwhile is still burning with anti-semitism and bigotry. And apparently if you’re groped in the UK you’d better just shut up about it. Progressive! Enlightened! Non-Reactionary Europe! […]
I’m an expat brit and a Londoner. I used to be proud of my country (and London) but feel really ashamed after reading your story. The country I used to love has gone downhill so much. I’m really sorry this happened to you and I hope the bastard gets caught.
I read this from Magnolia, Texas. We still open doors for ladies and say thank you and ma’am. If it occurred here you could rest assured that a REAL man would have stepped forward and stomped a mudhole in both of them! I’d take a whipping from both of them to stop the attack on you! (wouldn’t have happened, but….) Many of the men (real men) I know would also do so. You are welcome to relocate to Texas , ma’am! We have a concealed carry law (firearms). He could be terminally perforated and the world would be all the better for it! (crime is lower where this law exists by the way!) God bless and I hope they catch him… but will they really punish him there???
[…] From Mindy McAdams: Doesn’t anyone think this is terrifying? A woman is attacked on the subway in London. I believe her. She’s right, it’s awful; it should not happen. It’s scary, and you’d think there would be some kind of protection. […]
the LONDON i knew, would have many Gentlemen and Ladies who would rally to defend and stop this disgusting behavior…
like much in the World today, if people continue to turn a blind eye to a problem, it only becomes worse.
very sad indeed, and i am sorry i was not there to help…
is pepper spray legal in LONDON?
they deserve a good dose of reality in the eyes…
1 move to Texas, USA
2. get a concealed carry permit
3. shoot the f’er in the bloody chest.
problem solved.
You are at fault, living in a place where you can’t defend yourself.
Fasternu426 has obviously never spent any time in court watching a barrister twist everything, and certainly would enjoy a long spell in Huntsville - after all you get 25 years in Texas for screwing up Enron, so he would no doubt prefer a British jail for carrying a concealed weapon but under Anti-Terrorism legislation he might disappear forever like Michael Stone for 684 years.
Magnolia, TX has c 1000 denizens, London has 10.000.000 of whom 31% were not born in Britain…………..it has a smaller police force than the NYPD and so many foreign gangsters it is amazing they can afford translators.
London is not a British City - it is about as representative of Britain as NYC is of the USA - it is just much, much worse at dealing with criminals and the deranged
Yep — the carrying of concealed firearms by law-abiding adults works quite well. It works for you even if you yourself don’t carry, because a law-abiding citizen nearby might be carrying and willing to assist you, and the criminal doesn’t know if you are carrying or not.
Criminals love unarmed victims. Gun control is for losers.
Yes, and I believe (in too much of a rush to check this now) that a man was held on remand for a year, waiting to be put on trial for using his karate skills to defend himself.
That’s the most ridiculous thing I think I’ve ever heard! :shock:
What’s a person to do?
Look, here’s another one!
Ms. Daniski: I’m very sorry you were harassed and attacked while simply commuting on public transportation. Congratulations on getting this thug’s photo. May I suggest two more steps?
1) Can you obtain the CCTV footage and post that on your blog? Or even more still photos from the footage?
2) Contact the London Underground’s security forces and ask if they will agree to post signs around the stops along your subway’s route with this person’s photo asking the public to anonymously phone in his name. If you can get photos from the CCTV of his accomplice, add that to the posters. They may not be willing to do so given the volume of crime that happens but press them on it and it may even be worthwhile to pay for the photocopies yourself.
Catching these creeps is a function of how many London subway riders see the photo and know how to report him. If self-defense is illegal then the only way to get rid of the creeps is to make it easy for people to report & prosecute them so the word gets out that its no longer open season on innocent commuters.
Please keep us posted and good luck.
“You are at fault, living in a place where you can’t defend yourself.”
Oh, shut up.
The last time I tried to help someone who was being verbally abused by a stranger on a bus, and threatened with violence, everyone - including the victim - told me to fuck off and mind my own business. Nuff said.
Jackie I often travel around that area, suffice to say if I witnessed such a thing I would kick arse.
There’s hope for the men yet!
Two words: Pepper spray
I’m really sorry to hear of your frightening experience. Take care.
Two words: I wish.
It’s against the law in the UK.
Reminds me of a guy I used to call Mr Pitiful.
voyager,
“has obviously never spent any time in court watching a barrister twist everything”
How little do you know. Having been a police officer in Houston Texas for 13 years (about a 30 minute drive to the south and a city of about 3.5 million not including illegal aliens). I have testified and squared off in court in capital murder trials with the best of them, they not I ended up in Huntsville. Harris county Houston .
My point is that there are still places where people are civil, and ladies are treated with the respect they deserve, men are still men and would defend you against such an assault. Magnolia, Texas is one of them!
And what the hell does Enron have to do with this?
I’m sorry this happened to you.
I won’t go as far as the other poster who blamed you for living where you can’t defend yourself, but we have to take responsibility for the government we live under.
If I were in the situation, I would ignore the law or move. You have a natural right to defend yourself. If your government punishes you for that, then you’re living in slavery.
I am sickened by this appalling incident. Not just by the behaviour of the mysogynistic bullies. It was a shame more bystanders did not come to your attention. This incident happened on London Underground property and I find it obscene that there are insufficient or apathetic British Transport Police, general underground staff or CCTV equipment to monitor the safety of passengers. It is bad enough this is the case on the streets of London. Considering all the publicity about vigilance due to terrorist risks one would think London underground premises would be under better surveillance. On my return from holiday I caught a train to Victoria station, where I was robbed by an opportunistic thief as I put money into a ticket machine on the concourse. I ran after the culprit and shouted anglo-saxon oaths at him, so it was pretty obvious he had done something. The reaction of the general public thronging the concourse was to move out of the way as the spiv raced forwards. I burst into tears then it took me 15 minutes to actually find a policeman, despite approaching a uniformed staff worker. The police are very distinctive wearing luminous yellow coats, so I know there were none about. Fast forward a few months, after the 7/7 bombings Victoria station was absolutely thronging with policeman bearing bulky guns. I have also experienced mysogynistic remarks, provoked by my sartorial choices of below the knee skirt and short-sleeved t-shirt in summer, and wintercoat over just-above the knee dress (but no decolletage exposed) in winter. I am afraid to say the perpetrators always seem to be from immigrant cultures where the status of women is dubious. I have two points. First - police are only effective if there are lots of them, they patrol public spaces and they are easy to get access in a tricky situation. Second - mysogyny is as despicable as racism or any other bullying. Mysogyny is not a lesser crime and it should be as unacceptable to verbally or physically intimidate or attack women, as crimes of a racial nature are regarded. I can well imagine how the perpetrators of so-called minor mysognistic attacks, gain confidence through behaving impunibly so their behaviour escalates to more vile forms. Sorry to hog your blog with my diatribe Jackie. I really sympathise with your ordeal and I do hope the miscreants are found and punished soon!
A small bottle of Peppermint essential oil carried in the handbag or pocket is very useful for relieving headaches and smalling nice provided one is very careful not to get the oil in one’s eyes. It is instantly and excruciatingly painful on a scale of 10/10.
While, as others have noted, this could happen anywhere it is certain that it is more likely in some places than others.
This is why I never knowingly let any of my female crew members (cabin attendants or pilots) go out alone on layovers. I didn’t have the authority to control them but I can be pretty persuasive.
Jackie, I’m really horrified at what happened to you and so glad you survived and are safe. I think your blogging about it is great, and I so much hope it leads to the guys being nabbed and sent down for a long time. I got mugged myself two years ago and actually people did try to help but the guy was too quick off the mark. And the police ended up nabbing the men who stole my invalid mother’s car… So it is worth the effort. Stay strong. This was a horrific experience and it will take time. I’m really sorry it happened to you. But you’re brave and determined and hundreds of us are with you and wanting to support you…..
Jackie I am so sorry that this happened to you and could weep at the fact that people stood by. I would really really like to think that if I saw such a vile thing happening that I would speak up, if not directly to your attacker but to appeal to those around you to take action. But I don’t live in London, perhaps fear would take over, God I hope not. And now it appears that the police are dragging their heels. I’m shocked and upset and will be thinking of you as it appears many decent people are lately. I wish you all the very best in all that you do. Good luck.
Firstly very sorry for what happened in my home town.
4 words: pull the emergency alarm. Thats what its there for. sorry for what happened but this whole ‘Sometimes I wonder if it is already too late to save Britain’ stuff that ensues and the whole attitude towards what is or isnt permitted here is getting overhyped. Having found myself in a similar situation in New York we never heard from the police about shit and people simply stared! Neither was i carrying pepper spray not that i expect it would have done any good at all if it had got into their hands. And frankly i dont feel like carrying a gun! But an alarm is there for a reason.. The police will take it VERY seriously, they will have it on cctv, and they will catch them if they can. As hard as it may seem dont be too negative. This shit happens the world over. The Transport police are excellent in these situations so keep your head and work with them to get these idiots before writing the police off. Having been physically threatened on the tube here once they were there within seconds and the passengers all rallied round but i took no chances, I pulled that alarm. It is there for a reason and generates all the atttention and importance required in such situations and is way more effective than pepper spray. You had the good sense to take is photo. Turn around and pull the chain.
“You are at fault, living in a place where you can’t defend yourself.”
:shock:
This is the perception amongst men in the UK whether true or false :-
Men are much more likely than women to be the victims of violent crime by men,
Women are much more likely to be the victim of sexual asault than men, but they are more likely to live through the experience than a man is.
If a man comes to the aid of a woman he is more likely to be injured/killed than the woman is.
If a man intervenes against a juvenile male he is likely to be seen as a child abuser - which is worse than a murderer in UK society since suspicion alone is enough to earn you a listing on a police database.
If a man intervenes in something like this he is more likely to be seen as part of the problem than the solution.
This is why men do not intervene.
[…] Some (mild) outrage about the Jackie Danicki post about her tube attacker here and here and here. There’s talk of lynchin’s in them there blogs. I find that quite bizarre. […]
Rabbi Gadol (#75) is wrong. Bernie Goetz is not a “healthy example,” he is an antisocial creep who carried a concealed gun and used himself as bait by riding alone in subway cars late at night. When some teenage criminals attempted to rob him with a screwdriver he produced the gun and shot them in the back as they tried to flee. That’s not a hero.
The release of pepper spray in a crowded subway car would probably afflict everyone near the perpetrator, including the victim. It’s not a good defensive weapon in untrained hands in enclosed spaces.
If London can learn anything from New York, it would be to apply a bit of the Broken Windows theory. Anyone brazen enogh to do what this loser did has probably interacted with police before, for farebeating, disorderly behavior, public urination, etc. In New York he’d be more likely to be in the system or on probation for some prior offense and therefore easier to catch and punish.
I hope the picture gets results. Recently in New York a man exposed himself and masturbated in front of a young female student in a nearly empty subway car. She bravely took a cellphone photo and it made the internet, the local newspapers and TV. The man was arrested within a few days. London, here is your challenge.
In an unfortunate situation like yours I think the best approach is to use all the apathetic bystanders to your advantage. Go loud, and rude, and annoying. Scream. Narrate the event. Accuse the jerk over and over again, spelling out exactly what he did. Muster as much moral indignation as you can. You may win a few civilians over to your side.
Why didn’t you press the panic button that would have alerted the driver that there is a bad situation?
(and shame on the other people there for not pressing it behind the losers’ backs.)
As for learning self-defense, Aikido does take some work, but there are a few handy (and eye wateringly painful) jiu-jitsu and hapkido moves that anyone can learn.
Also, see here for a very good lesson in self-defense that with a little practice works even for non-martial artists:
http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-deal-with-an-attacker
Women in the UK should organize for the purpose of applying political pressure to the issue.
If a large bloc of women vow to withhold their support for any politician who doesn’t stiffen up enforcement and permit self-defense, fer chrissakes, something is likely to be done about it.
I am slightly miffed
November 24th, 2006
The loser who assaulted me today
Originally uploaded by dynamist.
The kid in the picture above doesn’t look very harmful, right? He’s reasonably well-dressed, anyway
Here’s part of the problem: calling this gent a “kid.” He’s obviously an adult, with all the responsibilities that that implies.
I am reminded of the television program “M*A*S*H,” which in its later years featured, every few episodes, an enemy combatant who, when captured by Alan Alda, was always described as “only a kid.”
The soldier, potrayed by a handsome young “Asian” actor, bore, of course, no relationship to the Korean shock troops sent out in WWII to perform atrocities too disgusting even for their Japanese masters.
Shame on you for being PC even after being molested by a typical duo.
If you can’t carry pepper spray or mace to defend yourself from attacks such as the one you suffered…well, maybe it’s time for you to pack up and move.
C’mon over to Texas, Jackie. We’ve got plenty of room, and if you only carry pepper spray or mace, you’re practically unarmed. A concealed handgun license is yours for the taking, providing you can pass a basic course, including a shooting component, and a background check.
What are you waiting for? We’d love to have you.
[…] The Lady’s name is Jackie Danicki, and she is very worthy of our help! […]
Your story and plight are now being sent ever further, Jackie! Besides uploading on my own site at http://mikecunningham.wordpress.com/2006/11/28/catch-this-bastard/ , I have also e-mailed others, and I hope that you shall soon see closure on this sick clown!
Your attacker should be placed delicately in the slammer for many a long day, and if he is identified and charged, he may well be!
Trouble is, far too many keep the old term of “Not my business” well to the front of their lives, and it’s only those who ’stand up be counted’ who should be listened to!
I hope that you are recovering, and I also hope that you will be comforted by the response from genuine British people!
This is a particularly heinous assualt and crime, and I promise as a Londoner to keep my eyes peeled. Sadly this further demonstrates the break down of modern society and that urgent action is required. However, the rather blase suggestion of mace and pepper sprays and handguns, whilst might be okay in the vast open country that is is Texas, might not be appropriate in a packed London tube carriage?! What is required is to fight the cause of this young yob’s sexist and thuggish behaviour. I fear from you what describe, that he may have been influenced by the beahviour of hip hop and gangster rap icons?
Shame on you for being PC even after being molested by a typical duo.
Charles, I’d like to offer a hearty “Fuck you” in response to your ignorant and dickheaded comment. Even the cops agreed with me that the guy pictured does not look the type, and he does not. He is not dressed thuggishly in the least. His cohort wasn’t either. If you are suggesting - as you clearly are - that this was a “typical duo” because they were black, then…Well, again, fuck you, you racist fuck.
As for questions above about panic buttons, etc, as far as I know the only mechanism like that on Tube trains is an emergency lever which would mean the train would come to a complete halt. I have had my journeys delayed by people abusing this emergency lever many times, and did not (and do not) consider my situation enough to have warranted the complete shutdown of the Bakerloo line. Feel free to disagree, but that was my judgement at the time. I’m also quite sure that the passengers would probably have turned on me completely if I’d held them up (sad but true).
All we have is your word that this happened. The man in the picture could be the bastard you say he is, then again he could be innocent. I’m not calling you a liar, merely pointing out the danger of publicly accusing someone.
The allegations are quite serious and I’m sure a lot of people reading this are prepared to act on their hatred for a person they think is vile. But we have no proof. If, IF, the man in the picture didn’t do this then something terrible could happen to him for no reason.
I really dont’t think the language you use responding to Charles helps your credibility.
Jackie, my sympathies for your ordeal. I have to confess that during my years in London, I carried a steak knife on the Tube. I’d rather defend myself (using equivalent force, which is legal) than end up lying bleeding in an Underground carriage. However, I’ve been mugged at knifepoint here in Cape Town, five guys ALL with blades, and simply handed over my wallet. Didn’t feel the need to be packin’.
Ozon, are you saying that the police should never show the pictures of criminal suspects, lest they come to some harm as a result?
As for my credibility, I guess this is going to sound rude, but here goes: I have credibility with all the people who matter. The bloggers linking to this story include many who have known me for years, have been invited into my home (and vice versa), and know me well enough to know I did not invent my attack. If I have no credibility with you because I am not afraid to call a spade a spade (or in this case, a racist asshole a racist asshole), then I have to tell you that your opinion means next to nothing to me.
I’m keeping an eye out for this scumbag,attacking a women is the lowest form or cowardice!
jac just read this hope you are ok
Lisa x
Jackie, as I said before I don’t doubt personally that this happened. But I don’t think it’s right to publish a picture of an identifiable person and describe him as a despicable criminal without proof. You have a picture of a guy sitting on a seat.
You announced this to the world, not just to the people who know you. Glenn freaking Reynolds is telling people to hunt him down. Are you prepared to take responsibility if he is found and turned over to a crazed mob rather than the police?
And yes, I am saying that as a rule, the authorities should not be allowed to publish the identity of suspects. That’s the law in my country.
Ozon, where do you get “without proof”? Just what does my firsthand account constitute if not proof? Do I need to post the CCTV footage of the guy beating me about the head, too?
Glenn Reynolds hasn’t told anybody to “hunt him down”. I have asked people to contact the police if they can identify the person who assaulted me. I am not in any way responsible for the choices any other person on this earth makes, and if someone chooses to get physical with the guy, that is their decision.
Your country is, by the way, not one I’d hold up as a model society - and I have enough relations living there to know that for a fact.
[…] Lets see if the power of the Blogs and circulation can change something and bring to justice the assailant of our American friend Jackie Danicki. “If you’re in London, Jackie Danicki could use your help with a photo identification”…. […]
Jackie, you are brave enough to get a snap of your guy as he attacked you! it takes considerable courage and risk to accomplish that, but i have published the pic in my Blog too (http://www.shafisaid.wordpress.com)
Imagine if such circulation of incidents could help identify the so-called thugs perpetrating violence against innocent commuters and eventually bring them to justice. Blogsphere could serve as the database and the Bloggers as investigators!
Jacki Danicki said -
“Your country is, by the way, not one I’d hold up as a model society - and I have enough relations living there to know that for a fact.”
Unless you misunderstood it somehow, the United States is populated by Human Beings.
Human Beings are fallible and by the very interesting idea well developed in the U.K. Presbyterian (Scottish) Church that “Man is a damned mess in need of a saviour and redeemer”, we have our fair share of Societal problem children here too.
You clearly don’t understand “School Yard Bullying”. It is exactly what you experienced.
While Schoolyard Bullies grow in large people with the same appetites and tendencies, they respond the same as the 10 year old on the playground.
I was taught this by the fastest running back in my county here in the U.S., and I taught it to my kids. It’s a kind of “Mohamed Ali”, e.g. Cassius Clay, “Rope a Dope” strategy.
Works every time.
Play helpless play meek play mild, cringe, look like a mark, ask them to “Please don’t hurt me”.
Get inside their reach, — then instantly, form a fist, two is better,
punch them as hard as you can in the nose and draw blood if you can, Run like hell.
It works. Bullys are looking for the weak … you last week.
To a Bully you are just sport, just a number. Just a number in a long line of victims.
Raise the pain threshold high enough and they will go on to easier pickings elsewhere.
By the way, here in the U.S. my 20Something girls can and do carry pepper spray. One is on the way to becoming a nurse practitioner in a bad urban area. Soon she’ll carry one of these too. http://www.springfield-armory.com/prod-xdpstl-service.shtml
It’s called a force multiplier. Very effective for a small person. Here “Way out West” they were once referred to as “Peacemakers” … which they are for women.
Things are way out of hand in the U.K. Force multipliers are coming back to the common woman there … you wait and see.
Econ-Scott, I was referring to Australia, not the US (which is where I am from).
Well Jacki –
Get some training on how to punch and I hope you are a fast runner.
Mohamed Ali “the greatest boxer of all time” lived in Chicago.
That “Rope a Dope” strategy works … every time, worked for him and it will work for you too.
Surprise and speed is the key. You’d better be fast runner, (it’s useless for people with a bum knee.)
I know U.K. laws are ridiculous for a small woman, otherwise you’d be able to carry pepper spray, a cop flashlight (the persuader,) a kubaton, and in 38 must issue states, a handgun.
My daughter went to Senegal last summer, I insisted she never go out without “a Group”.
Jackie, it’s been a while, and I was saddened to read of your assault. I too will be posting pictures of this guy on every blog I know, including Spannerworks.
I hope you’re recovered from the distress and upset it must have caused.
I remember Adrianna posting about a mobile podcaast capturing an assailant in New York ages ago.
I hope if we publicise this far enough then the blogging community can help bring this scum bag to book.
That really would be “community” policing.
Yeah, not a fast runner, but working on it (a little more urgently, now).
Well, Paul, bloggers seem more effective on this score than the police (still waiting to hear from them as to how I can give them the picture), so we’ll see.
Ozon, try not to be a jackass, will you? For God’s sake, what proof would someone need of an attack she experienced herself?
Jackie,
I’m just reading this and hate that you had to go through such a horrific ordeal. I don’t even have words to express how bad I feel and I hope that you are doing okay.
Hi Jackie,
Im new to your site as well as a result of Jim Treacher’s link. Im really sorry to hear what happened to you on the tube! The fact that the police are taking so long to respond as well must be really frustrating - I hope they get in touch soon.
Take care,
Natasha
You clearly don’t understand “School Yard Bullying”. It is exactly what you experienced.
While Schoolyard Bullies grow in large people with the same appetites and tendencies, they respond the same as the 10 year old on the playground.
I was taught this by the fastest running back in my county here in the U.S., and I taught it to my kids. It’s a kind of “Mohamed Ali”, e.g. Cassius Clay, “Rope a Dope” strategy.
Works every time.
Play helpless play meek play mild, cringe, look like a mark, ask them to “Please don’t hurt me”.
Get inside their reach, — then instantly, form a fist, two is better,
punch them as hard as you can in the nose and draw blood if you can, Run like hell.
No offense, Econ-Scott, but that has to be among the worst advice I’ve ever heard.
It might work with a schoolyard bully. Especially if the person using the technique is not significantly smaller/weaker than the bully.
For a woman to use it against a large man who’s almost certainly much larger and stronger than her, likely a faster runner (not that anyone could run far on the Tube), and who probably is no stranger to taking a punch - well, it’s damn near suicidal.
Jackie, That is so so awful - almost unforgivable. I can empathize so much because something similar, if not the same, happened to me, and not just once, unfortunately. Each time I called the police, and nothing done, as they had already disappeared into their sewers.
These things happened to me in a city back east, once on the subway. Each time - and I’m talking several - it was a black man. It would be really stupid - and I mean grossly negligent - for me not to be more careful around certain people, in certain cities.
Of course, after the first time, I was more aware around every man, but I also try to learn from patterns. And in any case, no matter who the perpetrator is, it should never have happened to a splendid person like you. And is it also illegal in Britain for people to tell them to STFU? How wussy are they there?
A shocking story, and I hope all this internet publicity helps catch the bugger responsible.
Having trained in a martial art for about 25 years, I cautiously endorse the comment of Aromatherapy buff: “A small bottle of Peppermint essential oil carried in the handbag or pocket is very useful for relieving headaches and smalling nice provided one is very careful not to get the oil in one’s eyes. It is instantly and excruciatingly painful on a scale of 10/10.”
Some on this thread have advocated various martial arts responses. Even a small amount of training is better than none at all, but a slightly trained woman is still at a disadvantage against a heavy and aggressive untrained male.
The reservation I have about the bottle of excruciating oil is this: it is not a one-shot weapon, and so can potentially be captured and turned against you. I advise women to carry a 35 mm plastic film canister full of ground black pepper or chili powder in their handbag. After a bit of practice, retrieving it from the handbag, shaking it up, flicking the top off it, and lauching its contents with determination straight into the attacker’s face becomes straightforward. Film canisters are slightly conical (like a garbage bin), so the contents don’t get jammed in easily and it is just the right size. You can dispose of it after the event or better still, keep a film handy in the bag as well to put into it. (”I’ve been carrying it in my bag for years, Your Honour. Never got round to getting it developed.”)
I have no respect for laws which forbid people to defend themselves from thugs. When the citizens can’t defend themselves, the nation can’t defend itself.
I’m so sad to hear about your experience, yet unfortunately not very surprised. As an American in the UK this must give you a very dim view of how my people can behave, and sadly I think it’s only getting worse.
I’ve been living in Los Angeles for the past 4 years now. Every day I take the underground train or bus to and from work and I’ve not been accosted once. I’ve seen arguments break out, but almost always between people who know each other. And this is in a city most British people would think of as a dangerous place to live. I think that impression is wrong.
Living in London for two years, I was always paranoid about the people around me on the Tube, particularly at rush hour. The sad thing is that I felt so unsafe living in that city that after leaving I’m not sure I ever want to go back. But I’ve lived longer in LA and can’t see if and when I might go.
I sincerely hope the police make a decent effort to catch this guy, not that I expect they will. He should be made a public example of.
Signed, one disillusioned ex-pat.
Sorry to hear about your ordeal but don’t expect any help from passers by in the UK. You generally won’t receive any. I certainly wouldn’t give any aid unless it looked very violent. Why?
1: Well the police don’t discriminate between aggressors and victims in an altercation, they arrest everyone and prosecute everyone. The courts then decide who’s innocent and who’s guilty. You get in a fight in the UK you will end up in court whether you were aggressive or simply defending yourself. If you carry any kind of weapon, expect to be prosecuted for carrying it, knife, mace or whatever.
2: The thugs usually carry weapons, knives in particular. They ususally have no compunction about using them.
3: They usually have accomplices waiting for the violence to start.
My advice is to read Geoff Thompson’s “Dead or Alive” and heed the advice therein.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dead-Alive-Definitive-Self-Protection-Summersdale/dp/1840242795
Ozon, perhaps if you were more familiar with Jackie’s writing you’d recognize that the tone she took with Charles was extremely rare for her. I took it to be indicative of the strength of her objection to his pretty objectionable views.
And what exactly are the authorities of your country ‘allowed’ to do to track down criminals? How else could they proceed with investigating a crime like this? Sounds like they’re handicapping themselves and law abiding citizens for the benefit of criminals.
p.s. Ignore the martial arts advice. Unless you have trained under stress conditions it won’t work. Most of it won’t work even for people who have trained for years.
Also ignore the advice wrt carrying weapons, it is a criminal offence in the UK, including such things as improvised pepper spray using chilli powder.
truely shocking. you have my full support. i hope you recover quickly!
Blogger sexually assualted, snaps photo of thug, posts it.
[link] [more]
You deserved it you fucking whore. At teh station you were smiling and winking like you liked it you little bitch. And now you come up with this bs. You wanted it at the time bitch you can’t deny it… you’re just a filthy slut.
Ozon, are you on crack? She wouldn’t publish the guy’s photo unless he assaulted her. Duh.
Jackie, sorry about your troubles. Best of luck on exposing the thug.
[…] A female US-blogger living in London has created somewhat of a stir since posting a picture of one guy, who allegedly assaulted her in the London underground. Using the picture to stir people on, the blogger is asking for anyone who knows the guy to make sure they tell the police, so he can be prosecuted. […]
[…] [Jackie Danicki » I am slightly miffed] […]
Before you post any comment where you even slightly blame a victim, please punch yourself in the nuts for the next twenty minutes.
Before you post a comment as a Texan, maybe you could add a disclaimer that most americans aren’t ridiculous cowboys.
“You are at fault, living in a place where you can’t defend yourself.”
What on earth?! Please think about what you said you ahole! Seriously, american’s aren’t all this stupid…
That’s awful - I hate riding the subway alone at night here in NYC but I never thought that something like that could happen in a traincar filled with people. It’s awful that that happened to you and I hope that you are okay & that pervert gets caught.
I am so appalled that this happened to you Jacki. I will post it on my blog but I don’t think many people read it yet (it’s fairly new).
For all those that are advocating trying to get the law changed why don’t we get together and do something? I’m willing to help or whatever if someone points me in the right direction.
Dear Miss Danicki,
It is by chance that I found out about your attack, and I am profoundly shocked at what happend to you. I hope you are doing well, and that those around you are supporting you.
My deepfelt sympathy goes out to you.
Unfortunately I am also shocked at some of the reactions of the people here which seem to suggest violence would be a good cure for this. I am sorry to say, this has been tried and doesn’t work.
By posting the thugs picture on your blog, and it getting attention, it has to be realised that this boy will probably have half internetsavvy London on the lookout for him. Furthermore, no doubt even when the attacker is caught and punished, his picture will be floating around the internet for years to come labeled “thug and rapist”.
Again, my deepest sympathy goes out to you.
Hi Jackie,
Sorry to hear about your experiences. All too many times I’ve been attacked on the street, and I completely understand your point about CS gas etc. FYI there are legal “alternatives” to it available in the UK, google it, they act as a slight deterrant.
Hopefully he’ll get caught.
Fairly obviously, people ignored the assault because they don’t want to get knifed. This is the UK - only criminals are allowed to be armed, and most are. You go up against them and you’ll generally come off worse.
All those people who say “someone should have done something”, start lobbying your MP for a right to carry concealed defensive weapons.
My every sympathy to you and I hope he gets caught.
Ozon you are talking out of your backside my friend. He is a wanted suspect in a physical sexual assault. Why shouldn’t the picture be published? Its up to a jury of 12 to convict him when he goes to trial. A photo on the internet is needed to stop evil bastards like him on the streets. I’m starting to think the internet might be a place to post photos of people taking part in criminal activity more and more. The police don’t give us justice, the country is falling apart with youthful thugs who bully people out of their possessions, and you can’t defend yourself for it as its constituted as assault. Vigilantism is starting to become the only way things might actually get done in this country.
I don’t blame you for what happened. I don’t think it’s right that people can and do get away with assaulting people on trains or anywhere.
However, pepper spray, CS gas, “legal alternatives”, martial arts, etc all tend to do one thing - escalate the situation. Yeh, it sucks, but when I’ve been harrassed or assaulted myself, responding by walking away has always led to the situation coming to an end right there and then.
You shouldn’t have to walk away. It might feel humiliating to do so. But it’s a heck of a lot better than standing there, taking it, and potentially putting yourself and other innocent people around you at greater risk.
OMG, I can’t believe this guy could do this!…
Anyway I’m glad you’re OK.
YOu have very interesting blog!
And you’re look great! Have a nice day :)
[…] Since I moved to London two years ago, I have been ashamed to hear tales of people being verbally or physically assaulted in the streets and on public transport while onlookers ignored their plight. Having been threatened with violence myself on a Tube, I’ve often moaned about the ‘look the other way’ attitude of onlookers. Why now? Because I just read about this lady being assaulted by the man yob photographed below. Please support her. Please support London. […]
Frankly I think this incident was blown out of proportion. Yes, I’m sure it was stressful to you, and I wish you the fastest recovery - but… Pepper spray in Tube tunnels? Police hunting bullies? Don’t you think this is a little unreasonable and grossly unrealistic?
Sorry to hear that, Jackie! As it hit Digg, even me here in Brazil and many people around the world can read what happened. Although not being able to do something, we can think about you and send you some good vibrations! Take care!
Jackie, sorry to hear this. On the positive side, it has made me do something that I have been meaning to do for a long while: pledge to stand up for anyone being similarly abused. Maybe other commentators here would like to sign the pledge too:
http://www.pledgebank.com/standupforlondon
Britain is dying from political correctness. And I do mean dying.
Here is the latest.
“ENGLAND: Sharia Spreads as Authority Wanes
You wake up one day and your country is gone. You go back to London and your city is gone.”
http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2006/11/england_sharia_.html
Let’s give the guy who came over some credit. I bet if they’d have touched you once he was there he’d have had a go. It would be hard for him to smack a couple of guys in if they were throwing insults alone. I think I would have, but the decsion there and then would be different.
I hope these scums get caught and punished.
Let’s take a snapshot of this kid:
Probably what – early 20’s? If he’s harassing women on the subway there’s probably not much of a happy home life. No cat named ‘Fluffy’. No soccer camp. No help with his homework at night. He spends his time listening to angry music, playing angry video games, surfing angry porn on the Net, and watching angry TV … this isn’t the cause, but it can’t help. He listens to his parents yell at each other, swear at people on the road, complain about bills, and generally lead him to believe he will grow up in the same miserable circumstance.
He’s big and he’s black, which means he’s probably used to passer-by’s being just a little bit scared of him, stepping out of his way, holding on to their purses a little tighter, etc.
He looks at you and you’re pretty, you’re white, probably well-dressed, fit, American accent. Your life and his life are so far removed it ain’t funny. He looks at you and sees everything he either wants to be or hates – very fine line.
There’s no CURING this guy of his life or his predicaments. Get mad at him and that will only cause him and people around him to get madder at you.
I’m sorry to hear about the assault.
This is just part of our vibrant multicultural experience. Your refusal to accept their cultural integrity quite clearly makes you a racist. Why don’t you just hand yourself into the police before these fine young men make a complaint of racial harrassment against you.
Ok Fasternu426 at #.108 Enron has a lot to do with it - Jeff Skilling got 25 years in a Minnesota prison - had the thug committed murder on the ube he would probably have done 8 years as a youth offender…………..then again yesterday one thug did get 21 years but now the prisons are full and EU Law sets minimum space requirements etc.
When i lived in TX they had to turn prisoners loose so the Feds would not fine them for overcrowding, and yes I did work in Houston..It is a very small town compared to New York or London and almost ethnically homogenous when compared to NYC or London.
The problem is that this incident is not exceptional but common - there are rapes on some of the commuter trains, unmanned stations, and the city continues to import degenerates from all over the world and let them run loose in London.
Telling us what people would do in Texas is like telling someone in Baghdad to buy a gun………….it is completely irrelevant to the local environment. If Jackie gets on the wrong side of the law with weapons she gets a Deportation Order and a stamp on her passport………………..no point in risking that……………..the system here is skewed against normal people because the liberal lobby has succeeded here in turning the world upside down and letting Rousseau’s Noble Savage build a Hobbesian World for the rest of us.
I admire the fact that you posted your experience. This is a great example of how the internet can allow an individual to speak out.
Even though you aren’t allowed to carry pepper spray or mace…I would suggest you do it. I can’t imagine anyone having a problem with you temporarily blinding these idiots for what they’re doing to you. Trust me…you’d feel much better if you sprayed these evil juveniles and walked away. It’s time for the good people of this planet to push back against this trash. Be strong!
[…] Someone calling himself Rob (IP: 219.88.217.206 , 219-88-217-206.jetstream.xtra.co.nz) left this comment this morning: You deserved it you fucking whore. At teh station you were smiling and winking like you liked it you little bitch. And now you come up with this bs. You wanted it at the time bitch you can’t deny it… you’re just a filthy slut. […]
I just posted the picture. I hope they find him.
There is no justice. :mad:
I hope the InterWeb does find him. He can then justify his position to the authorities. I’m surprised that the CCTV cameras didn’t catch him.
Jackie, I hope you’re doing well, and that this poor excuse for a carbon life force and his pals are caught. I’ve forwared this onto Drudge, lets see if that helps a bit.
If I was this child’s parent, I would sue you for defamation. Plus, this is racist propaganda that you posted. You are reenforcing racial stereotypes and that is why this world is filled with racist like yourself. If you were really serious about getting justice for your injuries, this will not be an internet manner. It just disturbs me when people like yourself choose this forum for mischaracterizations of black boys/men.
Dawn, my lovely friend Andy Breitbart is Drudge’s’ right-hand man (he is on the west coast and takes over drudgereport.com when Drudge goes to sleep on the east coast) and has been extremely helpful and supportive to me in this. Drudge traffic would just crash the site (again).
Thanks for all the comments; I am overwhelmed.
‘Subtalk,’ if you were this child’s parent, you’d have a lot bigger problems than my (non-defamatory, 100 per cent true) blog post. With your talk of racism, I suspect this is not a genuine comment but someone’s lame attempt at parodying the idiotarian left.
Say, is there any way we can get a picture of Rob at jetstream.xtra.co.nz? There’s someone I’d like to avoid at any cost…
Subtalk - words fail me….
Hey Rob, guess what? You don’t fool anyone, it’s obvious you’re a white sick fuck pretending to be the black sick fuck in the picture. You read something like this and you think, ‘hey, I’ll try to give some poor lady I don’t know a bit of a fright!’ You brainless, knuckledragging fucking loser.
[…] …but still have not heard from an actual police officer. And the email I got was in response to one I sent, asking for help in progressing the case. Just FYI, as I know many people are checking back for updates. Thank you all. Posted by Jackie Danicki | […]
Waaaaah I got physically and verbally assaulted waaaah
Wow, admissions standards have really dropped at Ohio State since my dad was there, eh, Artie?
I wouldn’t mind ejaculating on your face, you British whore. OH yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, when ever you’re down in Miami give me a call.
im sorry for you. but no girl in united state would of put up with that in public .maybe in a dark alley .girl here are just as tough as men when its in public .next time you make a bigger fuss and start swinging and screaming .i wish i was there .i would been aresteted for kicking both of thier arses .. ps chris is gay anyways his dad used to do that to his face thats why he hate you
subtalk, you are an anus. I hope that punk becomes an object of ridicule known throughout London. Ms. Danicki did not deserve to be treated as she was. What if a young white punk did that to your sister.
I am BIE and I approved this message.
Sorry this happened. This happened to a group of women in San Francisco…tourists from S. American. These young women were being followed and screamed at by a crazed homeless man. I told them to stay with me (i’m 6/4) then got a and even bigger motorcycle cop’s attention. I said “that man threatened to cut and hurt them” and voila, he was on the ground and locked up in a nano second.
It’s inexcusable that this behaviour is allowed to go on anywhere.
I’m very sorry to hear what happened to you! I just happened to be looking into self defense classes in the London area. I’ve given up on London transport and dusted off my bike, and I now find myself on empty streets in unfamiliar areas after dark, so I thought I ought to develop some disarming skills. I found one that teaches you psychological techniques for diffusing a situation, as well as techniques for dealing with physical threats: http://www.krav-maga.org.uk/index.php?mod=selfdefence. There are still spaces for this Sunday, if you’ve got any agression you’d like to get out!
That is cute. The chick that “scolds” the hooligans gets an “of course” and the dude that actually steps up gets no props.
Quit looking like a lady of the evening and you won’t be treated like one. Period.
lowdown, don’t they teach you to read in Germany? Or are you just an asshole?
Bullshit. You probably picked a fight with him. You are the POS. I’m sick of loud mouthed bitches like you thinking that you are immune from your the reprocusion of your actions. Next time shut your fucking mouth and leave those around you alone. Stupid cunt.
Man, I read your comment out to my boyfriend, who recommends you increase the dosage on your meds. And then, punch yourself in the nuts.
I learned to read in Beirut, where women know how to present themselves (ie not like tramps)
Your experience sounds dreadful. The best thing you can do now is to hope that the power of the web and social networks can bring the shitheads to justice.
The worst thing you can do is take the violence-for-violence cretins who are flocking here seriously.
Texas murder rate: 6.2/100,000
Houston murder rate: 16.9/100,000
NYC murder rate: 6.9/100,000, the safest large city in America
London murder rate: 2.4/100,000
that’s your craptastic concealed carry laws for you: AFAIK, you can’t carry in NYC, and it’s twice as safe as Houston. Yes, assaults are different, and Britain and London in particular has a real problem there. Having had the shit beaten out of me in both London and NYC, I can say that the english thugs were scarier. But ASBOs are the other side of the supposed free run for criminals.
And by the way, both times I was beaten up, it was helping a woman out who was in a similar situation to yours. And a gun would have made it worse, not better. And yes, I’d do it again.
Chickenshits who list chapter and verse about why they couldn’t help because they’d end up being prosecuted yadda yadda yadda are full of it. If you just think of the person you’re helping as someone’s mother/sister, and think how you’d want your mum/sis treated, you’ll be there.
[…] Blogging Nov 29 at 6:35 pm by Muhammad Saleem -Jackie Danicki, who is a 29 year old American blogger living in London was recently assaulted. What did she do in response? She quickly snapped a photo of the fellow and blogged about the incident. If you live in London and are reading this, you maybe able to help Jackie out and make this world a better place by looking at a picture of the attacker over here. If you know who this POS is, please contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40. The assault took place on the southbound Bakerloo line platform at Baker Street, and the abuse continued from there to Piccadilly Circus. […]
Jackie,
Sorry to read about this. Some advice for you. Get yourself a small can of oven cleaner. Easy Off is the common oven cleaner in the States. It is way better than pepper spray. They sell many similar brands in the UK. The may actually sell Easy Off over there. Keep a couple big cans around your house. Put a small can in your purse (it is inexpensive). Oven Cleaner is way better than pepper spray in an attack.
‘Word of warning— It will blind and/or eat the face off your attacker’. Common Oven Cleaning sprays like Easy OFF are extremely dangerous. Obviously it should only be used when you feel your safety is in danger. But going to trial for self defense is better than being raped and murdered. And if you do go to trial it would make international headlines. Your attacker or any other would be attacker in the UK will never forget the words Oven Cleaner.
Again, Sorry to hear about your ordeal.
Jackie, It is too bad that any 30-some year old jackass in their mommy’s basement with a computer can log on and make light of your distressing situation. I had an experience with London cops and am under the impression they are just complacent. (not that that is different from big city cops in the US). I hope the scum that pulled this gets what’s coming to them legally (or if necessary, otherwise). And it is an embarrassnig commentary on British society that this went on as long as it did without anyone coming to your defense (until the end). I am not sure how Americans would react, but I hope with my heart it would be completely different.
BTW: Artie Lange is the name of Howard Stern’s sidekick who very sarcasticly mocks peoples’ unfortunate situations by crying like a baby (”WAAAAAAAAAAAA” which can actually be quite amusing). I am sure it was not really him.
A nice spurt of oven cleaner in the eyes will do so much more to deter than pepper spray - and there’s no law against carrying it!
Quick Question: What were the circumstances in which you took the picture? He is looking at you as you are taking it. Was he already harrassing you at the time? Did you provoke him by taking the picture? (not that that gives him a right to do any more than tell you “fuck off and erase that picture”)
Hey there Jackie, so sad that had to have happen. I know what kind of trauma your going through right now, probably can’t go to sleep. I was also gang up on recently by a couple of brown punks, they try to take my cellphone but I held them at bay and there was no confrontation (fuking suckers were lucky that they didn’t hit me first, cause I was ready to drop one on their asses). It’s so sad to know that thugs continually to be able to freely harass good citizens, while the law still can’t effectively deal with these menaces to society. I wish that I could have been there to help out, I personally detest any kind of violence towards women, really fuck up how UK legislation is where you can’t protect yourself without going to jail. If you can, get a male friend to escort you from now on, I sometime buddy up with my friend when we’re going to school, feels alot safer. Hope you can get over this, but I know it would be hard,cause I’m still alittle rock over my encounter too.
Why can’t you just spray their face with oven cleaner (great idea yankee), and then run. Like you say, its hard to find assailants in the tube, if they try to call the cops on you, they have no way of finding you. Double Edge sword all the way.
I’m sorry to hear what happened to you. I had a similar problem in Paris once. And multiple situations here in a America of men being hurassing. Its really upseting to realise how global the abuse is on women. How those men or any man thinks its okay to call women those names and touch her in ways she doesnt concent to is beyond me.
But remeber its their wrong doing andnot yours. I’m proud of you for standing up for yourself. its the harder road but at least you did something instead of allowing yourself to be victemised.
And like the one gentleman said, you shouldnt have to thank people who try and stop this kind of behavor. Its everyones responsiblity to stand up to this kind of horrors.
What bothers me the most is how little others do to help people in need. And how little rights the person being abused has.
esp in America. The Criminal has all the rights. Not the Victem.
Bravo to you! I hope they catch these bastards.
Consern and safewishes,
Marikay4
Just a Yank here. You are a brave lady and really I hope they find and nail this scum.
He looks to be high school age in the picture - say between 16 and 19 - is that about right? Plus with the backpack - do you think he was on his way to school?
I was wondering whether you’ve heard from any of the newspapers in London - they should post his picture on the front page.
Once you find out his name and address you must post it. I’m sure there are a few people who’d like to pay him a visit.
I’m in New York and we have things like this every now and then but I’ve never heard of it happening in London before. Unfortunately based on some of the comments it sounds like it is a frequent occurrence.
Not sure what kind of a level of crime what he did rises to there in London. But based on what you’ve said it sounds like here in NYC it would be some level of an assault charge which I believe would be a felony and he’d be facing serious jail time where he’d surely be someone’s bitch because he obviously isn’t too tough.
Best of luck and don’t let this punk get you down, he’ll get what’s coming to him one of these days and probably soon.
I’ve seen things like this happen a few times here (U.S.), and each time myself or someone else (i.e. closest man deserving to be called such) stuck up for the females, with other people joining in. It’s not a gender slur - who expects a woman to physically/verbally trade blows with some big asshole? I’m a big guy, so it was up to me, and luckily there were never weapons involved.
I’m not trying to come off as a tough guy or a hard ass - really, I’m going to school to be a teacher, so I have to keep my nose clean - but there are times when you have to do the right thing.
Too bad no one there did.
Hi Jackie, sorry this happened to you. Carrying an oven cleaner, as advised above, is going overboard. Lawsuits are not fun.
Most of the time, being aware of your surroundings is enough. Giving the appearance of not paying attention and not being alert is what offenders look for in a victim. Also, shouting for “help!” or “this person is bothering me” will help a lot.
so sorry to hear about this incident - but sorrier to read such comments as those from man and lowdown. please dont let idiots like that get to you. unfortunately mysogyny is alive and well - ever notice there is no opposite to that word?
I love the advice about oven cleaner and encourage you to heed it if you continue to use public transpo.
[…] Jackie Danicki » I am slightly miffed The kid in the picture above doesn’t look very harmful, right? He’s reasonably well-dressed, anyway. But actually, he is quite a large fellow, and likes to assault random women with the help of an equally vile friend of his. (tags: blog crime sad) […]
Sorry you suffered at the hands of a scumbag!
Brilliant for shaming him in this way. Hope the authorities catch him.
Take care
Dino
Hi, me again.
I’ve just read some of the sicko comments above and am appalled! No woman on this planet is ever ‘asking for it’ in the context of riding the bus or train home. What she does have is the roght to privacy, respect and dignity. It’s the scumbags that leave sick comments that commit these kinds of assaults and give the rest of us REAL men a bad name.
I admire the fact that you’ve even bothered responding to many of these sickos, but think you’ve done yourself proud. Don’t let the bastards get you down.
Lots of love
Dino
[…] Although I wouldn’t advise you to click your assaulter while he or she is assaulting you (because you should be saving yourself at that moment), Jackie Danicki did exactly this. She clicked the photograph of her assaulter and published it on her blog. I got the link to Jackie’s post from this Blog Heral post. What a courageous woman she is! All my sympathies and admiration go to her and it’s sad she had to go through all this; and on top of that she is not even entitled to protect herself — she says on her blog that you’re not even allowed to carry a pepper spray with you. Well, this is silly. […]
i´m sorry to hear this.
After read your post i remembered a new that i read one month before after self defense in britain, here is the link:
http://www.northernlightz.net/
is a new legal option that seems to be interesting for this kind of situations.
Be strong and enjoy life.
Comment 200 about murder rates misses so many points.
Firstly, it’s wrong to compare Houston’s with London’s, because the two cities have completely different cultures historically, not just today. What you should compare is Houston’s with concealed-carry laws to Houston’s without concealed-carry laws, and London’s since self-defense was effectively outlawed with London’s before self-defense was effectively outlawed. Looking at murder rates before and after the post-Dunblane handgun ban would also be sensible.
Secondly, it’s wrong only to look at the murder rate. You need to look at rates of violent crime overall. It is a fact that, in jurisdictions with widespread gun ownership, violent attacks are more likely to be lethal, for obvious reasons, so it is possible to have less violent crime but a higher murder rate. You also need to look at who the victims and aggressors are. I personally don’t shed any tears when a violent thug kills another violent thug in a gang fight, but violent thugs attacking civilised strangers is something that needs to be stamped out. The murder rate alone tells you nothing about how safe decent law-abiding people are.
And, of course, there’s the actual principle: should people have the right to harm those who attack them? We could pass a law forcing all British subjects to take valium every morning and the murder rate would drop like a stone. That wouldn’t make it a good law. People’s rights should not be outlawed, even if outlawing them has lots of good outcomes. The right to self-defense is a fundamental one.
Hi, I’m glad about you’re right. Now, all internet knows this stupid kid.
Kisses from Spain
Hi, Jackie
I hope you’re feeling better than when this happened.
Sadly, it’s all to often this occurs. It winds me up that people think they can do this strangers and get away with it. But that’s the thing about London or any big city - anonymity means people DO get away with it - bystanders are just that: Standing by and doing nothing.
My Dad (75 years old) was punched in the face in an act of random violence in the middle of a busy London street and badly cut. Within seconds the street had cleared - everyone ran away and left him to it. I’m sorry to hear you had a similar experience and glad that somebody finally took your side.
Rewind 100 years - London was an incredibly dangerous place and women would never be able to go out alone, so some things have changed - unfortunately not far enough.
I echo comments above: take up a scrappy martial art, like Wing Chun or Muay Thai. God gave you a pair of fists for a reason, y’know? Learn how to use them and you’ll never have to (if that makes sense).
Good luck with finding the guy and I’m glad your other half was there for you.
I’m sorry this happened to you. These comments are very insightful however.
An awful lot of people have stated that defending yourself in London could get you arrested, so I am inclined to believe it. I would hesitate going to a place that I was not allowed that basic right. Blinding someone with oven cleaner sounds like a really bad idea. I loved the peppermint oil suggestion however.
David mentioned the excellent Broken Windows theory; which boils down to not allowing the little things to happen so they can turn into big things. Thats why it is so important to put a stop to this kind of harassment.
200 anonymous Murder rate statistics don’t really mean that much. Its quality of life thats important. Far too many people have complained about this type of harassment as a common problem in London to write it off.
Good luck finding justice.
HI, I’m writing this from Spain… you can imagine, we heard of this in online newspapers, so… keep on doing any effot to catch that piece of shit up.
I just wanted to say that we all are with you… and do not hesitate at all, go for him, go to newspapers… it is worth it, that hog probably will assault more people and will get worst in the future.
Regards
Antonio
antonio.fortes@gmail.com
Now, this seems like a horrible incident. My question is why you would endure such horrible physical abuse in a public place for so long? Then, after being so terrified to do anything about it, decide to take a photo? This seems very hard for me to believe 100% but I’m very sorry if you were disrespected in any way. However, it seems as if you were more scared of these black guys than anything and are blowing this out of proportion a bit. I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t walk away, but would choose to endure public physical harrassment for 15 minutes and then take a photo. You were not trapped and could have chosen not to submit to their continual unwanted advances. You were in a public place! I imagine the police laughed at you. It sounds as if they were immature fellows joking to be tough and assuming that you would be afraid. After seeing that you were scared, it became a game for them and they just played it out. Sadly enough it terrified you. Many times little things such as body language (really clutching your purse, looking nervous) can give you away as feeling threatened and this will attract troublemakers to instigate with you. Two young black guys physically assualting a white woman in a public place for 15 minutes and it is just ignored and tolerated by onlookers? I have never seen or heard of such a thing anywhere in the world. A Black guy wouldn’t never have the audacity to do such a thing. That is the dumbest crime a black guy could do unless he was set on being jailed for a long while, have you ever heard of Emmett Till? He got lynched for whistling at a white woman.
Please read what I have written before commenting. Please. I stated very clearly in my post that I was physically assaulted on the platform at Baker Street, and that the abuse continued ON A TRAIN to Piccadilly Circus, where I was then followed down the platform with even more abuse being yelled at me.
To recap:
1) You don’t know what you’re talking about, but through no fault of mine.
2) Well, see above.
I think it’s terrible that we live in a society where someone can be harassed (be it verbally or physically) in public, and they might as well be tied with their hands behind their backs for the amount of protection that is afforded to them. And by protection, I don’t mean heavily-muscled thugs following them around, ready to flex at the merest hint of a threat. I mean the protection that comes from living in a society where there are consequences for your actions.
Socially, we’ve gone from a village-mentality, where any sort of behaviour that was not acceptable would have instant rammifications, to a metropolis-mentality, where people can slip and fade away in the crowd. And worse, being a member of the public means that people are absolved of any personal responsibility. Sometimes, as a single person, stepping in could mean that you are physically harmed too. But a group of people? It’s easier to stand up to something when you know there are people standing beside you.
The fact that this happened is not about race (or even social class) - like Jackie says, she’s been abused by white people too. It’s about people respecting each other. I find it incredible that men think that it’s acceptable to say those sorts of comments to women *regardless* of whether they feel that the woman dressed/spoke/acted in a way that provoked it or not (especially not, as in this case!). And really, you can replace ‘men’ and ‘women’ with any two groups … it just seems to be that this instance is, unfortunately, among the most common variety.
Jackie - I’ve never met you and I probably never will, but I’m sorry that this happened to you and I’m so glad that you’re not letting it get past you. While there seem to be individuals out there who don’t seem to understand the seriousness of what happened (despite that it wasn’t as bad as it could have been) , I’m definitely in the camp of people that are with you for standing up against this sort of behaviour. Though my vote is for a long-term change in social behaviour rather than pepperspray/ovencleaner/pepperment oil/physical retaliation …
Good luck with it!
Did you take the pic before or after this happened?
Again, please read what I have written. Joey, I have said multiple times in this thread that the picture was taken in the midst of the verbal abuse, after the physical assault.
Get well soon.
Real Talk, your defensive attitude just makes matters worse. In that photo I see an accused punk, not a black accused punk or a white accused punk, just an accused punk. Discourse on matters of race are only impeded by your kind of defensivness.
I am BIE and I approved this message.
Just to try to balance some of the talk here - here in the States, self-defense can also lead to litigation. Not criminal prosecution from the police, but civil lawsuits if you hurt or kill the burglar or attacker, brought by them or their families. I think generally you can prevail in court, but it’s an enormous hassle. It can often feel like Part II of the original horrible experience.
Still, it amazes me that someone can be punished for using karate to defend himself in the UK. That’s astonishing. All these people suggesting karate or oven spray should really bear that in mind. I can’t think of anything better than taking a picture.
DAYUM, Jackie, I can’t BELIEVE you got a photo of the dude! WELL DONE! I hope that if people won’t intervene, they’ll all start using their cameraphones to document this kind of thing. Like Witness.org.
And, I’m really sorry this happened to you. I went through a much milder attack years ago and I know how I felt after that. Hang in there and take care of yourself…and good job fighting back!
I don’t understand why some people say you were “allegedly” assaulted. Clearly you were, so why the use of this word? Or is it just me misunderstanding the English language?
While I wish it wasn’t so, in all likelihood the cops are not even looking for them. And if they are looking they are not going to do anything to them, even if they were to catch them in the act. In a country where people defending their homes and family are prosecuted and the criminal goes free you can’t seriously expect the so-called authorities to spend their time on two bit bozos who merely assault women on trains.
I hope your case will prove me wrong and that in a few days you will be able to report that they have been arrested and in a few months that they have been sent to prison — but I am not going to hold by breath. My advice to you is come home, at least here you can defend yourself.
[…] It has been one week since I was assaulted. […]
Real Talk,
> Two young black guys physically assualting a white woman in a public place for 15 minutes and it is just ignored and tolerated by onlookers? I have never seen or heard of such a thing anywhere in the world.
Then you are deeply, deeply ignorant of life in modern English cities.
You shoulda stabbed him in the neck with your tactical folder. Any “men” that stood by while that happened should also be stabbed through both sides of their necks.
Yes, the prick still thinks blacks are lynched for whistling at white women. What more proof do you need that the school system is failing their students? He probably expects to see Rosa Parks on the no. 38 out of Hackney.
I was in Barbican market this afternoon (3;30pm) and saw someone who I thought looked like a spitting image of the shitbag in your picture. As I walked by him, staring as I tried to figure out if I really was looking at the piece of trash, he gave me a hearty and somewhat aggressive “Alright mate!?”
About 5′10″ 150kg. I would say he’s about 15yo. I suspect he studies in the Barbican area and just finished with school.
Witheld, I have sent you an email. Thanks for your comment.
You should have said you felt there was a racist undertone - BT would have bent over backwards…..or maybe not as you are white and they black…..go figure
“This is not a race thing. Only a collectvisit would think otherwise.”
Well, call me and many other victims of rape “collectvisit” all you want. Then do a little research into crime statistics. You will find that it is indeed a race thing. The PC fluff sounds wonderful though. Problem is, it gets women killed.
Jackie, I am sorry this happened to you.
I live in N.Y.C. and have been victimized myself both physically and verbally , though in a different manner (I’m a male).
What must be considered though, is who is resposible for the moral climate in which this can so easily occur … namely the liberal establishment that the people of New York City in their wisdom repeatedly re-elect and keep in perpetual authority.
I can imagine the same thing happens in London and most any other “progressive” city in Western civilization.
I guess Churchill was right when he said ” Many have defended Britain against her foes. Non can defend her against herself”.
What a shame !!!
Do You Know This Man?
Just over a week ago, Jackie was assaulted. She got a picture of her attacker. Have a look, and should you recognise him, get in contact with her….
This stuff is legal under UK law. It might lack the punch of pepper spray but it helps the police catch the attacker and as it’s non toxic etc it won’t get you charged with assault.
http://www.c-p-p.co.uk/product/asp/ProdID/2324/CtgID/1006/af/page.htm
My condolences, too bad somebody didn’t step up to give that turd the asskicking he so richly deserves.
Don’t spray oven cleaner on anybody you may permanently blind him, probably overkill in this situation. Here in states we have a product called Armor All, used to make tires and such shiny. It comes in little spray bottles and if you were to spray someone in the face with it, he wont be able to see long enough for you to get away or long enough for you to kick him in his lucky charms.
“unfortunately mysogyny is alive and well - ever notice there is no opposite to that word?”
Misandry. Or, depending on what you mean by “opposite,” philogyny.
Writing as someone British with experience of London public transport, and dodgy teenagers, I can say there are various reasons people don’t interfere in these cases:-
1. social embarassment - believe it or not, regardless of what’s happening in front of them - whether trivial or terrible - lots of British people simply have an unreasoning, paralysing fear of making themselves “visible” to others, of being in a situation where they might have to shout, or confront others
2. fear - there is a widespread fear, propagated by the media, that anyone who does stand up for themselves risks almost certain death; we hear regular accounts of people who stand up to petty criminals and get stabbed or, more rarely, shot; in fact, these ARE rare cases, but they are given such prominence and we now live in such a cossetted “safety first” culture in the UK, that no-one ever suggests confronting bad behaviour, even verbally; this leads to a vicious downwards spiral of no-one taking any responsibility for public spaces, and criminals getting free rein
3. the law - there is a fear that if you confront a criminal, you may be prosecuted for assaulting them; this is a genuine risk in English law (and I guess elsewhere), as the level of violence you use must be proportionate to the circumstances; there is no defence along the lines of “he shouted racist abuse at me, so it was ok to stab him” — I assume the same applies in the US?
4. don’t assume that everyone knows what’s going on around them — I don’t know how much it was obvious in this specific case, but it’s not always clear to others - if two people are shouting at each other - who’s in the wrong … especially if you don’t see how an argument starts … this may not be applicable in this case, but often London commuters are so immersed in their IPODs etc etc. that they don’t see what’s right in front of them
In my opinion, there is no single quick clever response to these situations. It all depends on your attackers’ motives - do they want money? are they showing off to their friends? are they genuinely confident in their offending behaviour? You have to make a judgment at the time, if you can think straight yourself, which isn’t always easy. Sometimes doing nothing will work; other times you’d be better off shouting and screaming. Other times, only violence might work - or all of these can exacerbate the situation.
In no case, however, is it the victim’s fault - in no case, is it their responsibility to “do the right thing”.
Personally, I respect Jackie for taking a stand.
(BTW The police do occasionally post CCTV images on my bus route of suspects; this is perfectly reasonable and it should happen on the web. Private citizens then offering to blind/castrate them etc. before trial is not so desirable.)
Finally, for all the occasional instances of petty crime I’ve seen in London (including some kids trying to mug me recently), I’ve seen countless more examples of kindness and consideration. We’ve just to work out how to tip the scales a bit further in the right direction.
Lee
Blogger PhotographsTube Assailant
Jackie Danicki begins her blog post on November 24th with the words I am slightly miffed: The kid in the picture above doesn’t look very harmful, right? He’s reasonably well-dressed, anyway. But actually, he is quite a large fellow, and likes to a…
Jackie,
Really sorry to hear what happened to you, we really shouldn’t have to put up with this. (I’m sure you are) but just ignore those idiots who say you shouldn’t be putting photos up of these idiots, good on you I say.
All the Best
I have to say when I first read this I was all in favour of spreading it around. However after trawlling through various comments I’m a little more than worried. Perhaps you should give the police a chance instead of taking matters into your owns hands…Comments like this are frightening-
I was in Barbican market this afternoon (3;30pm) and saw someone who I thought looked like a spitting image of the shitbag in your picture. As I walked by him, staring as I tried to figure out if I really was looking at the piece of trash, he gave me a hearty and somewhat aggressive “Alright mate!?”
About 5′10″ 150kg. I would say he’s about 15yo. I suspect he studies in the Barbican area and just finished with school.
Saying Alright Mate is now something we should all be afraid and wary of? Not likely!
Like someone else said, why not pull the emergency alarm? That’s what it’s there for.
I am sorry for what happened to you but you seem to be going about handeling things the wrong way. No wonder people here have such a negative view of Americans when there are a fair few mouthing off about shipping Tazers over and the like!
Note for readers and commenters: ’star’ and ‘Rebecca’ are the same person, posting under two different names.
My picture has been instrumental in catching these thugs, so thanks for your opinion but you couldn’t be more mistaken.
[…] A blogger called Jackie Danicki, a 29-year-old American who lives in London for most of the time, was allegedly assaulted on the London Underground on November 24th. A bad thing to happen obviously, and she took the normal route of reporting the incident to the police. The difference in this case is, as soon as she got home, she also put details of the incident and a picture of one the men she claims physically and verbally assaulted her on her personal blog. She doesn’t detail what the nature of the physical abuse was but claims the verbal abuse comprised of being called a “slut” and a “hoare”. The remainder of her accusations are that no one helped at the scene, that instead all her fellow passengers ignored the incident until it was over. […]
oh please, like people in London would even say anything to said guy even if they did think it was him!?!?!?!?!?! They would probably stand by and watch him insult/attack someone else.
[…] The Evening Standard wants to do a story about my assault. I am of two minds about this: […]
I would like to know two things regarding this incident.
1. When did you have time to take this guy’s picture? - It just seems odd to hear this horrible accusation of molestation and then see someone sitting there looking at a camera. I’m assuming you did this with a camera phone?
2. What was the nature of the assault :???: - I have seen you express discomfort in releasing such details as to not upset your family. Understandable but you have posted news of this publicly for the world to see, you might as well give detail. It will help to better understand the situation. “Physical” abuse of a sexual nature in and of itself can make the incident sound far more graphic than reality and lead to more confusion on why people did not help you. We don’t expect every little detail of what was said and what they did but a general description of their actions gives us an idea of the severity of this incident.
Altogether I am sorry that this happened to you regardless of the severity of the attack and hope that they are brought to justice.
Marcus, I answered these questions pretty comprehensively in comments above; please read them.
Jackie - do the Standard story. He won’t be able to hide after that. It is probable that he has committed other crimes. Citizens should act and use whatever means necessary against crime - our own media is our weapon. Go for it. It will test your case too, which should show the doubters the door.
has anything like this been tested in court yet? someone named and shamed on a blog before. would the chap that assulted you get a fair trial?
interesting times for so-called citizen journalism.
[…] I do just want to say a huge thank you to the detectives who worked so hard on this case. I have been very pleased with their dogged approach to catching these two scumbags. (This is British Transport Police, not the Met.) The police get a very bad time of it from the media - not always undeservedly - one of the results of which is people like me not even thinking to go to the police when something like this happens (Antoine had to convince me to do so). We just think, “Oh, the police won’t be interested.” From what I have seen, detectives are hampered by cripplng bureaucracy and a management whose style is as ridiculous as you’d see in The Office, but more infuriating. It is clear to me, though, that the men who investigated this really gave it their all, and I could not be more grateful to them for doing so. Posted by Jackie Danicki | […]
[…] Jackie Danicki, un mujer norteamericana que vive en Londres dice haber sido asaltada en el metro de la ciudad y ha publicado la foto de su atacante en Flickr pidiendole a todos los que la vean que informen cualquuier dato sobre la identidad del sujeto a la policia. Hay mas detalles del tema en el blog de la dama. […]
[…] You can keep your eyes down and all of that, but, unfortunately, the world has its fare share of scumbags, and sometimes trouble invites itself. Jackie took the matter in her own hands, and published the story of how she was assaulted on the underground, along with a picture of one of the offenders, on her blog: it provoked a wave of sympathy in the blogosphere as well as questions of the legality of publishing that picture, but the offenders were nailed in the end. In the wake of this incidence, she was approached to do an interview for The Evening Standard, and this is certainly food for thought: […]
[…] Blogger Jackie Danicki caused a stir several weeks ago when she published a cameraphone photograph on her blog of a young man who had allegedly harassed and assaulted her on the London Underground. […]
[…] A few weeks ago, we pointed out the case of blogger Jackie Danicki, who was accosted on a London train platform. Martin Stabe notes that the rules of publishing in the U.K. change now: Court reporting rules apply to bloggers, too. But on Friday, a man was arrested in connection with the incident. That means that proceedings are now active and it’s time for all the bloggers following the story to brush up on their British media law if they don’t want to risk prejudicing a potential future trial or even being held in contempt of court. […]
I think it’s ridiculous that Londoners are not allowed to carry pepper spray. If I ran into that guy and he attacked me, I would give him a blast of that spray. Without it, potential victims are helpless.
I’m alarmed by the number of people here who think the best reponse to Jackie’s experience is for us all to carry knives/pepper spray/baseball bats etc. Do you really think this will make London safer?
[…] With the kind of technology that’s available to anyone now, wasn’t this inevitable?… If someone we know were to be attacked we’d all want to do what we could to help. We might think that a reasonably well read blog offered a useful platform for doing so. But would it be ethical? Jacki Daniki claimed she was verbally and physically assaulted on the London Underground and posted a photograph of the alleged person on her blog along with the local police’s telephone number. This sparked quite a domino effect from other bloggers who copied Daniki’s actions and posted the same photo asking readers if they knew this man. […]
These kind of sexual assaulters should be given a strong punishment. Even the girls should be strong enough not to encourage such kind of incidents.
Well Done Jackie Danick , I appreciate the courage you have shown towards such offences. Actually, Bad people rules, because Good people let them do so. Your offence to these guys is an example for the Girls, how to deal with such kind of intenses.
Again, your courage is adorable.
I hope your efforts to catch this guy pay off. He needs to be taken off the streets (or rather, out of the Tube). Congratulations for having the guts to do something about it, instead of passively submitting.
I’m unsurprised at the way the racist scum has come out of the woodwork over this, making comments like “Londonistan” and blaming “North African colonies” for the incident, as if there weren’t plenty of thugs of every race wandering around. Of course, the bigots don’t consider the white thugs to be a problem, since they are the white thugs.
Help Jackie (Yes, Again)
She just got mugged a couple blocks from her house. They didn’t hurt her, but they grabbed her purse with…