A 38-year-old man was taken into custody on the morning of Monday, October 23, on the BR-116 highway in Leopoldina, Brazil, after being accused of committing sexual harassment against a 60-year-old female passenger. The incident occurred while the woman was sleeping in her seat when the man, seated next to her, inappropriately touched her and exposed himself without her consent. This alarming behavior added to the already concerning trend of sexual harassment cases reported on public transport in the region.

Immediately following the incident, the victim reached out to the bus driver for assistance, prompting him to stop at a nearby post of the Federal Highway Police (PRF) where the suspect was detained. Law enforcement officers then took the case to the Specialized Delegacy for Women in Leopoldina, addressing the situation with the seriousness it warrants and ensuring that legal actions were initiated against the accused individual. This incident highlights the urgent need for increased safety measures on public transportation to protect passengers from such violations.

The incident has raised awareness about the troubling frequency of sexual harassment cases aboard buses in the area, especially in Juiz de Fora, which has seen similar reports recently. Authorities and community leaders are urged to enhance measures to safeguard the well-being of passengers, particularly women, and to foster a safer environment within public transport systems. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and the responsibility of transport operators to maintain a secure atmosphere for all passengers involved.