The most common targets are women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and young people, though anyone can be a victim.
If you feel someone is committing an encoxada against you on a bus: encoxada bus
While infrastructure improvements like the system in Curitiba have modernized travel, the social challenge of maintaining safety and dignity in public spaces remains a central focus for urban transit authorities. The most common targets are women, LGBTQ+ individuals,
It is vital to distinguish between innocent bumping and deliberate assault. | | Fact | | --- | ---
| | Fact | | --- | --- | | “It only happens in very full buses.” | Many encoxadas occur on moderately full buses where the perpetrator deliberately stands close. | | “It’s a cultural thing. Men there don’t know it’s wrong.” | False. Perpetrators know it is wrong – they hide their actions and flee when confronted. | | “You should just wear tighter pants / looser clothes.” | Clothing has nothing to do with assault. Victims in winter coats also suffer encoxada . | | “It’s not a serious crime.” | It is a sexual assault that causes long-term anxiety, avoidance of public transport, and psychological trauma. |