Spot on IMO. I rode the subway for work for 12 years (finally moved out of any city I'd need to take one) and I've seen more than one situation either on the street walking to/from the train, on the platform, or in the train itself where a woman was being harassed and nobody did a thing. People pretend they don't see ANYTHING.

The worst was one where, during morning commute hours, a young girl was penned in by an old man and looked really uncomfortable. I was facing them so I couldn't see behind the seat bench in front of them but there were several men directly across from their side (so they could see directly what was happening behind the bench). I kept eyeballing the two and noticed the man's shoulder seemed to be rhythmically moving. Eventually put two and two together and figured the guy was jerking off. I kept eyeablling the guys with a better view who were just standing there unoccupied but weren't saying or doing anything.

Mind you this guy looked to be homeless and about 60. These were guys in their 20s-30s. No danger to them. Still nothing.

I asked the girl if she wants to move and she nods frantically. Took the old man some convincing (raising my voice telling him to move over and over til he finally did) but he finally got up. The girl, who was maybe 16, immediately got up and ran to the adjacent car. Part of me wanted to curb stomp the old guy but I was honestly trembling with anger and I didn't need to end up in jail, and honestly wasn't that sure of myself, so I ended up getting off at the next stop (which was mine anyway) and going to work.

I was just stunned the guys with a better view didn't do anything even tho they probably noticed it much sooner than I did. This, as well as listening to female friends' experiences, really informed my understanding that SA and rape is far more prevalent than men realize and that no, you can't depend on a bystander who is right there and physically able to do a goddamn thing.