A University of Birmingham student has expressed feeling fearful of using public transport following a deeply unsettling incident in which a man openly masturbated at her while staring intently on a city centre bus.
Lily Revéreault, aged 19, was returning to campus after having dinner with a friend on the evening of 26 February when the event left her traumatised.
The Brighton native, who chose to forgo anonymity in telling her story, described how the man began staring at her immediately after she purchased her ticket. Within half a minute of sitting down at the front of the bus, she noticed the man was masturbating aggressively and leering directly at her.
READ MORE: The historic magic of AE Williams: a 247-year-old family business thriving in Digbeth
“I boarded the bus around 8.45pm and as soon as I bought my ticket, I saw a man sitting down, openly staring at me,” Lily recounted to BirminghamLive. “I sat near the front, and about 30 seconds later, I glanced over to find him masturbating in an explicit and aggressive manner. It was utterly disgusting.”
She added that the man was leaning forward to look at her face, clearly targeting her specifically. The inappropriate behaviour ceased only when the bus stopped and other passengers began boarding the lower deck.
After safely returning to her accommodation, Lily reported the incident to the police. A spokesperson for West Midlands Police confirmed that a man was arrested in connection with the event but was later released without charge due to insufficient evidence.
Reflecting on the impact of the experience, Lily shared, “It was just so disgusting. Since then, I’ve been reluctant to take buses at all. Even during the day, there often seem to be individuals who stare or behave strangely, which makes me wary. I try to avoid buses altogether now.”
This incident is one among many that Lily has encountered over the course of her first academic year. She described experiencing numerous uncomfortable situations within the city centre, highlighting a broader pattern of harassment.
“There needs to be more education and a shift in attitudes,” she stated. “If certain individuals witness others engaging in this type of harassment without repercussions, they may feel emboldened to act similarly.”
Lily has been attempting to launch a survey addressing harassment, emphasising the urgent need for action. “Something has to be done,” she insisted. “The frequency and brazenness of these behaviours are off the scale.”
West Midlands Police have reiterated their appeal for anyone with additional information about the incident to come forward, either by calling 101 or using the Live Chat feature on their website, quoting crime number 20/151923/26.
The police statement added: “A 22-year-old man was arrested on 21 March on suspicion of outraging public decency and subsequently released on bail pending further enquiries. A thorough investigation has been conducted, but due to lack of evidence, no charges have been brought.”
Lily’s experience sheds light on ongoing concerns about safety and harassment in Birmingham’s public spaces.
If you have a story to share, please contact [email protected].