A 70-year-old Hangzhou man drove a woman to buy a horse for her Xinjiang journey, repeatedly touched her thigh and made inappropriate remarks. She filed a police report; he was taken into custody pending investigation.

Social Context

Sexual harassment complaints increased 40% year-on-year in 2023 per Ministry of Public Security data, with rising acceptance of reporting—especially in transport and service contexts. The 2021 amendment to the Women’s Protection Law expanded definitions to include ‘unwelcome physical contact’, enabling arrests without victim testimony in clear cases.

Safety Tip

Use ride-hailing apps with real-time location sharing and emergency buttons when arranging transportation with strangers—avoid private car arrangements without verified identifiers.