Known as chikan , transit-based groping and rubbing are met with strict anti-groping laws. Commuters caught engaging in this behavior face heavy fines, immediate arrest, and potential imprisonment.
Major metropolitan transit authorities (such as the New York MTA or London Underground) categorize non-consensual physical rubbing as sexual abuse or forcible touching, carrying severe misdemeanor or felony penalties. Modern Transit Updates and Safety Initiatives
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As of 2025, the term in legal and journalistic contexts is no longer ambiguous. While in 2015 many judges dismissed it as "inevitable crowding," today’s updated statutes in countries like Spain (where the term is also used), Mexico (CDMX), and Argentina define an encoxada as:
High-definition CCTV networks covering all angles inside buses and trains. Evidence collection and deterrence.
The key update is . An accidental “push” due to a sudden stop is not an encoxada. Repetitive, targeted rubbing against a victim who cannot move away is .
The updated "Encoxada in Bus" program is expected to bring several benefits to commuters, including:
The Portuguese term "encoxada" refers to the act of a perpetrator pressing, rubbing, or grinding their body against an non-consenting person in a crowded space, such as a public bus. While sometimes searched online under the guise of adult search queries, this behavior constitutes a serious form of sexual harassment and assault. It impacts millions of commuters daily, prompting cities worldwide to update their safety measures, legal frameworks, and transit technologies. Understanding the Reality of Public Transit Harassment
