Trauma Behind the Crowded KRL: A Harassment Victim's Account in Jakarta–Bogor
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Sexual harassment on public transport has again come under the spotlight. In the midst of Jabodetabek’s crowded mobility, which relies on the electric commuter train (KRL) Commuter Line, the space that should be safe for homeward and work journeys instead leaves trauma for some female passengers.
One such victim is Ani (not her real name) (27), a user of the Jakarta–Bogor KRL route for almost five years.
When contacted by Kompas.com by phone on Tuesday (3 March 2026), Ani described the harassment she experienced in December 2025.
The incident occurred as Ani boarded the KRL from Gondangdia Station to Bogor at around 18:40 WIB, during the busy homeward period.
“I don’t usually choose a carriage when going home from work, as long as there is an empty one I get in. The women-only carriage was full that day, so rather than arriving home very late, I just boarded. I’ve been on the KRL almost every day for five years, so I’m used to being squashed,” she explained.
That afternoon she stood on the train with her back to the window.
“My position at that time was standing. I didn’t notice at first, but suddenly there was a man, about forty to fifty, standing behind me. On the train I don’t think negatively—just want to go home, if there’s a seat I’ll sit. I didn’t sit at that time,” she said.
A few stations later, she began to feel something was wrong.
“After a few stops, if I’m not mistaken Lenteng Agung, I started to feel suspicious. It didn’t feel too cramped, but the person behind was pushing forward. My position faced the window. I stayed calm at first,” Ani said.
“When we arrived at Bogor Station, other passengers getting off told me that the back of my skirt was wet. Coincidentally I was wearing a white skirt, so it was clearly wet,” Ani said.
She confirmed she was not carrying any drink or other object that could have caused the skirt to get wet.
“I was very shocked, I wasn’t holding any drink or anything that could spill; other passengers didn’t either. Only then did I realise that the man behind me was masturbating. I panicked, trembled, but I managed to report it to the staff that night and it was dealt with,” she said.
“But I chose not to dwell on it, going home crying on the motorbike,” she continued.
The incident may have lasted only a few minutes, but its impact lingered.
“Since that incident, even though non–women-only carriages are still accessible, I don’t dare to enter them. I always wait for the women-only carriage on the next train. It feels fear, apprehension, and the trauma remains to this day,” Ani said.
She acknowledged the staff response that night was quite quick. However, in her view, preventive measures in general are still lacking.
“I felt the staff response then was quick, but the general prevention is still lacking. If the women-only carriage is full, female passengers are still at risk in the ordinary carriage,” Ani said.
“I hope KAI can add more women-only carriages or increase surveillance in all carriages so female passengers feel safe,” she added.
Hearing that there have been other victims of similar incidents made her even more anxious.
“I’ve heard of other victims who experienced similar things, even some who were assaulted twice. That makes me more wary. It feels that the prevention and surveillance system needs strengthening—not just relying on women-only carriages,” Ani said.