A morning ride on Chicago’s CTA Red Line turned into a harrowing experience for Chiquita Brown, who says she was sexually assaulted by a man while commuting through the Loop on Tuesday. Brown, who boarded the train at 63rd Street, reported that the attacker groped her multiple times, including in private areas, before she fought back.
“I didn’t stay quiet,” Brown told police. “I hit him and told him to stop. Nobody has the right to touch me like that.” Her bravery allowed her to escape the assault when the man fled at the next station. According to CBS Chicago, the suspect is described as a Black male, wearing a tan jacket and blue jeans, with short dreadlocks.
Despite recent CTA promises of increased security, Brown said she saw no officers during her commute, highlighting ongoing safety concerns. After the incident, she went to the 1st District police station to file a report. Police have not made any arrests yet but are actively investigating.
This incident comes amid rising reports of assaults on CTA trains and stations, particularly along busy lines like the Red Line through downtown Chicago. The Federal Transit Administration has pressured CTA to improve safety, warning that failure to act could affect federal funding.
Commuters like Brown are calling for stronger protections and visible security measures to make Chicago’s public transit system safer. “People shouldn’t have to fight for their safety on their way to work or school,” Brown said. Her experience serves as a reminder that vigilance, public reporting, and effective transit policing are critical in protecting riders from assaults on city trains and buses.
