At first, she told herself it was nothing. The bus was full. His knuckles brushed her lower back. Then, as the driver braked at a roundabout, a firmer pressure. His pelvis. A subtle, rhythmic shift.
In early 2021, as cities across Latin America eased pandemic restrictions, buses became dangerously overcrowded again. With social distancing impossible, encoxadores saw an opportunity. Reports from Mexico City’s Metro and the Metrobús system indicated a 40% rise in sexual harassment complaints in the first quarter of 2021 compared to pre-pandemic levels. encoxada bus 2021
Behind the viral clips and legal debates, real victims emerged from the shadows. In 2021, mental health organizations in Latin America reported a sharp increase in calls related to "agoraphobia on public transport." Women described a condition dubbed síndrome del bus —irrational sweating, panic attacks, and an inability to stand near male passengers in any crowded setting. At first, she told herself it was nothing