A shocking incident on a Gold Coast bus has left a family grappling with both disgust and fear.

What started as an ordinary school commute quickly turned into a distressing encounter, prompting police involvement and an investigation.

Details of the incident have raised important questions about public safety and the responsibilities of transport providers.

A 30-year-old man faced charges after allegedly engaging in indecent behaviour in front of a 15-year-old schoolgirl on a Gold Coast public bus.

Queensland Police stated that detectives from the Gold Coast Child Protection and Investigation Unit charged the man with one count of committing an indecent act in a public place.

'Investigators will allege the man inappropriately touched himself in front of a 15-year-old girl while travelling on public transport,' a police spokesperson confirmed.

Man charged in alleged bus indecent act. Image source: Gold Coast Bulletin

He was scheduled to appear in Southport Magistrates Court on 16 April.

The incident occurred just after 9:00 am on 2 April, when the teenager, en route to school, noticed the man allegedly masturbating in the back of the bus.

She promptly captured a photo of the man and sent it to her mother.

'She feels sick about it,' the mother expressed.

'As a mother, I feel absolutely disgusted and appalled by what (allegedly) happened to my daughter. It’s difficult to put into words—it’s a mix of anger, shock, and deep concern.'

The mother reported the incident to the police and the bus company, expressing concern for her daughter's safety and that of other passengers.

She hoped authorities 'can locate this man quickly'.

Kinetic, the country’s largest bus operator, stated that the bus driver was unaware of the alleged incident at the time, as it was not reported immediately.

'While we are unaware of the specific circumstances surrounding the incident or the individual, the behaviour reported and depicted is unacceptable and does not align with the standards of safety, comfort, and respect that we expect on our buses,' said Kinetic executive general manager Martin Hall.

Kinetic has been contacted for further comment.

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The safety of vulnerable individuals is a paramount concern, extending beyond public transport.

In a previous story, the devastating consequences of neglect were brought to light, revealing the horrific conditions a young child endured.

Click here for the full story.

Key Takeaways

• A 30-year-old man was charged for allegedly masturbating in front of a 15-year-old girl on a Gold Coast bus.
• The teenage girl photographed the man and sent it to her mother, who then reported the incident to the police and the bus company.
• The mother expressed deep concern and disgust, fearing for her daughter's safety and that of other passengers.
• Kinetic, the bus operator, stated the driver was unaware of the incident and condemned the alleged behaviour.

As this unsettling incident unfolds, one must wonder: what measures can be implemented to ensure the safety and well-being of passengers on public transport, especially vulnerable individuals like school children?

Share your perspectives and proposed solutions in the comments below.

 

[relljube]

Thank you for the prompt reply!

We will have to wait for the outcome of the court case.

I had an similar episode on an uncrowded Ventura 901 bus at Dandenong. There was a 13 year old girl sitting two seats in front of me when a 60 something old pervert sat next to her, almost on her lap, pushing her into the wall of the bus. The jerk got off momentarily at Dandenong Station and I asked her if she alright when I saw tears in her eyes. He got back on and resumed his position next to the girl.

He was attempting to groom her, with him giving her his phone number. When it was time for the girl to get of the bus, the creep didn't move until I intervened, dragged him up by his shirt while proclaiming "Look at this f**king pervert, molesting little schoolgirls!" I was waiting to smell the stench of his incontinence. The girl got off safely.

Fast forward a few weeks and I was discussing the incident to a fellow passenger at the Plaza bus stop when a woman overheard the conversation. She was the schoolgirl's mother and couldn't thank me enough. Unfortunately for the girl, it was her first day at a new school and that the mother would drive her to school in future.

A sad event, just like the one in the article.

Nowadays you would be in trouble for grabbing the mongrel - assault even though he deserved much more. shame the mongrel didn't "trip" & hit his head on the glass door or window. I have no qualms about dealing out violence to these "rock spiders".

 

[RobbyNotTheRobot]

I think she was so stunned and taken aback by his behaviour she didn’t know what to do. At least she had the presence of mind to get his photo (hopefully his face also) and send it to her mum who then contacted police.

I worked in an admin position with police for 14 years and understand why it takes time for these incidents to be finalised - there are just too many incidents happening and they have to prioritise the more serious ones before others. There are child abuse, child protection and other sections within police but too many daily reported incidents which must be prioritised according to severity. So please, people on this site, don’t always blame police for not acting. We cannot have equal numbers of police as well as citizens and, as I have said before, it is a ‘calling’ not just a job that pays wages.

One of my cousins is a NSW Policewoman and the things she has told me that the law has their hands tied behind their backs and that makes them 'Appear' to do nothing. Another is the time between Arrest and charged has been reduced so another why bother.

 

[RobbyNotTheRobot]

Nowadays you would be in trouble for grabbing the mongrel - assault even though he deserved much more. shame the mongrel didn't "trip" & hit his head on the glass door or window. I have no qualms about dealing out violence to these "rock spiders".

Your Honour, it was the most extraordinary thing I have ever seen, it was like the Wanker was picked up and slammed to the ground by a wormhole.

 

[Veggiepatch]

One of my cousins is a NSW Policewoman and the things she has told me that the law has their hands tied behind their backs and that makes them 'Appear' to do nothing. Another is the time between Arrest and charged has been reduced so another why bother.

Plus the consequent steps in the judicial system.

Conviction.
Sentencing (if applicable)
Imprisonment (if applicable) and community service and/or fine.
Parole and probation.

 

[novezar]

Thank you for the prompt reply!

We will have to wait for the outcome of the court case.

I had an similar episode on an uncrowded Ventura 901 bus at Dandenong. There was a 13 year old girl sitting two seats in front of me when a 60 something old pervert sat next to her, almost on her lap, pushing her into the wall of the bus. The jerk got off momentarily at Dandenong Station and I asked her if she alright when I saw tears in her eyes. He got back on and resumed his position next to the girl.

He was attempting to groom her, with him giving her his phone number. When it was time for the girl to get of the bus, the creep didn't move until I intervened, dragged him up by his shirt while proclaiming "Look at this f**king pervert, molesting little schoolgirls!" I was waiting to smell the stench of his incontinence. The girl got off safely.

Fast forward a few weeks and I was discussing the incident to a fellow passenger at the Plaza bus stop when a woman overheard the conversation. She was the schoolgirl's mother and couldn't thank me enough. Unfortunately for the girl, it was her first day at a new school and that the mother would drive her to school in future.

A sad event, just like the one in the article.

Hi Veggie,
With your posting, I thought that you would've acted a whole lot quicker than you did for the sake of the young girl.
When you see a scum bag sit next to such a young girl, it's for one reason only.

 

[Catherines]

No they can only think of using their phones for photos. Calling 000 would not occur to them either. At least the police have caught and charged the bastard.

‘000’ is for emergencies ONLY. Let’s not jam their telephone lines with other things. This young girl seems to have done the right thing by reporting and sending the photo to police who have acted.

 

[Catherines]

I really don't think that the criticism of readers is directed to police, it's more likely the government not supplying the money necessary to have more police, judges, courts and jails.
I worked at a probation office for a short while and in psyche for over 8 years and yes, the problem and number of offenders is huge, but the problem of the government's poor prioritising is much bigger!

I agree with you but, and there is a big BUT. There are many vocations - police, nursing, doctors, psychologists, paramedics etc, to name just a few where the encumbents have to have a ‘calling’ for these occupations/jobs. Not everyone can do a course and be efficient or caring in that job. And most of these jobs don’t just ‘happen’ overnight - the government cannot just provide the employees because we, as citizens, want them to do so.

 

[Lisa]

At that age I wouldn’t say young child but good she got a snap of it. Pity bus driver wasn’t advised on the spot.

My point too, first point of contact should have been the driver...he could have rang through and had police waiting at the next stop.

 

[relljube]

‘000’ is for emergencies ONLY. Let’s not jam their telephone lines with other things. This young girl seems to have done the right thing by reporting and sending the photo to police who have acted.

Sorry but in my mind this is an emergency - if the perp was so willing to put it out on display on a pubic bus who knows what may have eventuated if she got off before him - quite obviously he is a totally disturbed mongrel who gets his jollies in this fashion. Better safe than sorry thanks.

 

[Sherril54]

Out of interest, do you have any links to the articles regarding this.

An internet search came up with the the message "It looks like there aren't many great matches for your search", quoting a similar article from May 2015!

Sorry but in my mind this is an emergency - if the perp was so willing to put it out on display on a pubic bus who knows what may have eventuated if she got off before him - quite obviously he is a totally disturbed mongrel who gets his jollies in this fashion. Better safe than sorry thanks.

The problem is the police may not arrive in time, or not at all..

 

[marni]

Hindsite is a good thing ! At least the young girl had the sense of mind to take photo. Not all 15 year old girls are all grown up and experienced this situation . How embarrassing! Just think to yourself WHAT would I have done 1.. If she had told the bus driver ,Would he have stopped the bus? Or said “I am only here to drive the bus “ as one person commented several have tried to intervene and come off second best.2 if she had pointed him out would the other passengers on the bus have turned a blind eye . Screamed indisgust or just laughed ! No laughing matter! once again How Embarrassing. No I commend the girl I think she did the right thing.

She had presence of mind. Hopefully if someone sees filthy acts, they should just yell out” you disgusting individual, you are playing with yourself”. The embarrassment then would be all his. Had the same experience on the way home from high school 50 odd years ago, regularly so just brought friends along to show what I was talking about. Did not damage me

 

[Catherines]

Sorry but in my mind this is an emergency - if the perp was so willing to put it out on display on a pubic bus who knows what may have eventuated if she got off before him - quite obviously he is a totally disturbed mongrel who gets his jollies in this fashion. Better safe than sorry thanks.

NO, this is not an emergency for a ‘000’ call. It is, though, an IMPORTANT CALL directly to police, but not an emergency. Her mother did the right thing by calling police though.

People complain about having to wait for, and the delay in getting, an ambulance and this sort of thing increases that delay if done on ‘000’. I feel for the young girl in this situation and it does not matter what she knows about sex or otherwise, this act on public transport was obviously meant to be a perverted act in front of the opposite sex and to show himself.