See it, say it, not sorted. I was let down when I reported my train sexual assault

Esme Rice's Experience with Train Sexual Assault

See it say it not sorted - Two weeks ago, around 11 p.m. on a Saturday evening, Esme Rice was riding the Elizabeth Line in London. She was heading home after dinner with friends near Farringdon station when two men entered the crowded carriage. "One of them attempted to get my attention," she explains, "but I chose to ignore him and waited for my stop." As the train approached Stratford station, one man brushed against her back, while the other blocked her path as she tried to exit. Esme claims the second man grabbed her without warning. "Everything unfolded so fast that my brain took a moment to process it," she says. "I turned toward them, and they were smiling, as if it were a lighthearted moment. Then, they vanished."

Stunned on the Platform

The atmosphere on the platform was lively, with many people around, yet no police officers were present. Esme recalls the phrase "See it. Say it. Sorted" echoing in her mind—words she had heard frequently on trains and stations. She used the BTP’s dedicated non-emergency line, 61016, to report the incident. According to the BTP, their jurisdiction spans over 10,000 miles of track and 3,000 stations, covering a wide range of crimes from antisocial behavior to terrorism. Esme received an automated message stating her report was important and that someone would contact her "soon." She then provided more details via text, waiting for a response.

A 13-Hour Silence

Thirteen hours later, Esme had still heard nothing from the BTP. Frustrated, she shared her story on social media. "I recorded a video explaining what happened, expressed my frustration with the lack of response, and included a screenshot of the police message I received," she says. The videos, posted to her Instagram and TikTok accounts, quickly gained traction, drawing thousands of views and hundreds of comments. Many women recognized their own experiences in her account. "Shortly after, the BTP called me," Esme recalls. "They confirmed they had launched an investigation and scheduled a time to take my statement."

Public Urgency and Internal Review

Esme notes that the timing of the BTP’s call felt significant. "After reporting privately and getting no reply, I spoke publicly, and suddenly there was urgency," she says. A day later, a comment from the BTP’s official social media account appeared alongside her video, apologizing for the "awful behavior" on the railway and confirming an investigation. Assistant Chief Constable Ian Drummond-Smith later called Esme, acknowledging the 13-hour delay was too long. "He said I should have been contacted the same evening," she adds. "I was later informed an internal review is underway to explain why I didn’t receive further support that night."

The 'See It. Say It. Sorted' Campaign

The BTP’s slogan "See it. Say it. Sorted" has been a staple of their public safety efforts for a decade. It is broadcast over station announcements and featured on posters across the rail network. Recent campaigns emphasize behaviors like touching, staring, and upskirting as unacceptable on public transport, promising swift action. Yet Esme questions whether the BTP can consistently respond in time to protect passengers or prevent harassment. "This wasn’t my first time feeling ignored by the BTP," she says. "I was sexually harassed two years ago on a Jubilee Line train while traveling with a friend at 6 p.m. in March."

Esme now wears a badge reading "Shame must change sides," inspired by the story of Gisèle Pelicot, a French sexual assault survivor. Her experience highlights the gap between the BTP’s public commitment and the reality of delayed support for victims.