TSA-Sexual Assault (read what the "mommy blogger" had to endure)

Our Little Chatterboxes Blog ^ | 11/16/10 | Erin

[skyman]

TSA - Sexual Assault

I have an incident to share that occurred late Friday afternoon, November 12, 2010, around 5:15 in the Dayton International Airport.

I realize the publishing this publically on the internet puts me into a delicate situation, given that I am a high profile blogger and author. This is a difficult incident to share, but it needs to be said...Because I will not be a silent victim. I will share the facts of the incident in as a matter of fact manner as I can.

I checked into my flight and had a boarding pass printed that included “plus infant.” My baby and I were flying from Dayton, OH, to San Antonio, TX, so I could run in the San Antonio Half Marathon. I was taking my baby along because he is still breastfeeding for part of the day.

I entered the security line, removed the special formula that I had with me for the baby, as well as my quart size baggie with my other liquids. I went through the x-ray machine and metal detector, carrying the baby, with no incident.

Because I was traveling with baby formula, I knew to expect that they would test it with the paper circles for explosives. The TSA agent took all of my belongings over to the table in the center of the explosive screening tables. She asked me, “Are you aware of the NEW policies for carrying liquids through security that were instated 4 years ago?” (capitalized to show the emphasis that she placed on that word.)

I replied, “Yes, I fly with him every several weeks.”

She scanned the formula, then turned to me and said, “Remove your shoes and stand on that black mat for a patdown.”

I said, “OK, what do I do with the baby?”

“You cannot be holding him.” (I am traveling alone.)

So I placed him into his stroller. She instructed me, “Spread your feet apart and hold your arms out to the side.” I obliged.

She patted my left arm, my right arm, my upper back and my lower back. She then said, “I need to reach in and feel along the inside of your waistband.”

She felt along my waistline, moved behind me, then proceeded to feel both of my buttocks. She reached from behind in the middle of my buttocks towards my vagina area.

She did not tell me that she was going to touch my buttocks, or reach forward to my vagina area.

She then moved in front of my and touched the top and underneath portions of both of my breasts.

She did not tell me that she was going to touch my breasts.

She then felt around my waist. She then moved to the bottoms of my legs.

She then felt my inner thighs and my vagina area, touching both of my labia.

She did not tell me that she was going to touch my vagina area or my labia.

She then told me that I could put my shoes on and I asked if I could pick up the baby, she replied Yes.

She then moved back to my belongings to finish scanning them with the paper discs for explosives. When she finished she said I was free to go.

I stood there holding my baby in shock. I did not move for almost a minute.

I stood there, an American citizen, a mom traveling with a baby with special needs formula, sexually assaulted by a government official. I began shaking and felt completely violated, abused and assaulted by the TSA agent. I shook for several hours, and woke up the next day shaking.

Here is why I was sexually assaulted. She never told me the new body search policy. She never told me that she was going to touch my private parts. She never told me when or where she was going to touch me. She did not inform me that a private screening was available. She did not inform me of my rights that were a part of these new enhanced patdown procedures.

When I booked my ticket, I was given no information that the TSA had changed their wand and unintrusive patdown procedures to “enhanced” patdown procedures that involved the touching of all parts of your body, including breasts and vagina on women and testicles and penis on men. I was not informed by any signs on the front side of security about the new procedures. I had not seen any media coverage about the issue, so I had no idea that this was a new government sanctioned policy.

Another important piece in this story, the Dayton airport does not have the new body scanners. I was not given any other search options. It was enhanced patdown, or nothing. (And I would have opted for the body scanner, if I were going to be subject to a sexual assault.)

I asked to speak to a supervisor immediately. I had a very unpleasant conversation with him that lasted 20 minutes. I moved to the back of the security area, made a few phone calls, including to my lawyer. He did some quick research, and learned that I had indeed been sexually assaulted because she did not follow the SOP (standard operating procedure) for the new search.

During our first conversation, the TSA acting manager of the shift told me that the TSA agent who sexually assaulted me was supposed to inform me about the new search procedure and tell me when and where she was going to touch me. He also apologized on behalf of himself and on behalf of the agent who sexually assaulted me. I was not allowed to speak to the agent who sexually assaulted me, nor did the acting manager provide me with her name. (I did not have the presence of mind to look at her nameplate, as I was in shock.)

I also spoke with the Dayton police, the Dayton airport police, and left a message for the TSA manager for the Dayton airport. I intend to request the TSA to arrange for counseling services to be provided to me, so I can deal with the aftermath of the sexual assault that took place, caused by the specific touching actions and failure to inform me of the policies by the TSA agent.

I am speaking out against the TSA and share my sexual assault case to ensure that this does not happen to anyone else, anywhere.

I will not be a silent victim of sexual assault by a TSA agent. Total Sexual Assault.

I am calling for immediate change to this new enhanced body patdown search.

I am calling for the TSA agent who sexually assaulted me to be fired.

I am calling for you, a fellow American, to stand up against these new enhanced full body patdown search procedures of the TSA.

Please note: I do plan on flying back to Ohio on Monday, because it will take me too long to drive home from Texas. I do not however intend to fly again until this search policy of sexual molestation is revoked by the TSA.

I will leave you with this thought: “It is acceptable and encouraged that a TSA government official can do something to an American citizen that US military personnel cannot do to a member of the Taliban.”

*UPDATE: Thank you all for the links and information about where and with whom I can share this. I am continuing to take action. Please feel free to leave other helpful information you find. I will be turning on comment moderation for the remainder of the day.

**UPDATE #2: I am in no way trying to belittle the experiences of sexual assault experienced by others. I hurt and ache for others who have been sexually assaulted.

**UPDATE #3: If you are interested in me sharing my story on your radio or news program, please email tsasexualassault (at) gmail.

[MizSterious]

I worry that we've gotten beyond the dinner roll: Podesta: Obama Can Use ‘Armed Forces’ to Push Progressive Agenda

[skyman]

I think this happened when one of the first days when no one knew completley what was happening, even the TSA

[conservativegramma]

You cannot tell me that revenge racism does not play a part.

You know I think you stumbled on the truth here. We all know these new invasive measures came straight from Obama himself. We also know that Obama is a racist.

If you read the book "The Roots of Obama's Rage" you will discover that Obama has an anti-colonialist mentality rather than a love for the American people. He actually does hate anyone white and wants to see us all humiliated.

Think back in time here a bit. How were slaves treated on the public auction block? Stripped naked? Yep. Groped? Yep. And on and on it goes. I think Rush is right. These new patdowns are Obama acting out his rage on the electorate. He's also venting his racism making Americans endure what slaves had to endure in the past and he thinks its payback time.

I think you've nailed it big time.

[Girlene]

Then they have just told the terrorist muzzies to use children as their weapons delivery system.

They modified their policies in response to outrage by parents, but, yes, there is that possibility. If they think parents of 13 year olds won't also be outraged, should they be molested, they are idiots.

[RobRoy]

>>I worry that we’ve gotten beyond the dinner roll:<<

I don’t. I KNOW we’ve gotten WAY beyond the dinner roll. It’s why I bought my farm in central Kentucky.

The times they are a changin’. You can see it all around you.

[Zarro]

Absolutely. I have several daughters over 18 years old. Do the airlines think that I am going to PAY good money for the opportunity to have them groped? Not hardly. You don’t stop being a parent when they hit 18, either.

[Antoninus]

they touched her privy parts?

If the Bill of Rights doesn't protect women from having their privates legally groped by government "security" creeps, it's not worth the paper it's printed on.

[hoyt-clagwell]

The mommy blogger didn’t say they touched her private parts glove to skin. It was through her clothes. Is that fine with you? For some thug to handle your privates through your clothes?? It isn’t fine with normal human beings

I've already posted I'm against these pat downs. Even Israel does not use them.

[SandRat]

TSA’s new motto; “You con’t get on, Until wew get off.”

[Sarajevo]

It sounds like the liberals got to you. Be a good little sheep and follow big government.

[Girlene]

Agreed.

[carton253]

Getting back to the point of my post -- yes, lines move slow now. Just think how much slower they will move if you tried to run an airport the way the Israelis run Ben Gurion. You would have to be at the airport 6 to 8 hours (again my opinion) just to make your flight.

As for the rest of your post. Good soapbox preaching. I don't disagree.

[greatplains]

No kidding. My teenage daughters are not flying ANYWHERE until this nonsense backs off. I’m afraid I’d be making one serious scene. The whole idea is just gross.

[little jeremiah]

I didn’t see your previous comment. All I saw was your comment that this story is exaggeration or something.

They should profile Muslims and leave everything else alone.

The purpose of this charade has nothing to do with national security. Nothing at all.

[netmilsmom]

My daughters are 10 and 13. We are flying to Orlando in December.

They will both wear sanitary pads and I’m seriously considering hijabs for all of us.

[Don W]

Really no different than sitting in a chair that hundreds have sat in before you.

Perhaps you're unaware, but bedbugs, pubic lice and bedbugs are all MOBILE. They can and do walk about thereby spreading without there being any direct contact with the carrier.

I took a buddy to a clinic once, and *I* ended up with crabs, even though I hadn't been up close and personal with anyone for months before the visit, nor before the little boogers showed up.

Here's a clue: parasitic insects are usually quite mobile in order to get to a host.

[Girlene]

Our gov’t should never expose them to the possibility of being pawed in any fashion by an “official” for the “priviledge” of flying. obama should be asked by a reporter (with full detail of what occurs to these children) how he would “feel” if this happened to his daughter(s). As a father, he should be ashamed. (I know, I know, it’s obama - he doesn’t understand shame.)

[houeto]

You cannot tell me that revenge racism does not play a part.

Hmmm... Just went through 30 pages of google images and could not find a single black getting patted down.

[conservativegramma]

Hm. I looked up 18 U.S. Code Section 2244 and didn’t find that definition. Do you have a reference?

Maybe this will help.

http://uscode.house.gov/download/pls/18C109A.txt

Scroll down look under 18 USC Sec. 2246

Definitions for chapter

3) the term "sexual contact" means the intentional touching, either directly or through the clothing, of the genitalia, anus, groin, breast, inner thigh, or buttocks of any person with an intent to abuse, humiliate, harass, degrade, or arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person;

The code is 2244 but the definition is found in 2246 implemented 2/1/2010.

[netmilsmom]

I fully agree with you.
I am praying that the Thanksgiving weekend, with the opt out, brings so much hell upon these people that the “Pat downs” will stop before we go.

I have no problem with the scanners.