Quick Summary
- 1A Brazilian woman, Priscilla Costa, was spied on in the women's bathroom at Kipling Station in Toronto on a Friday morning.
- 2She noticed a man standing on the toilet in the adjacent stall to look over the partition.
- 3Costa reacted immediately, shouting and pushing the man out of the restroom.Despite her loud calls for help in the station's common area, Costa reported that neither passengers nor a nearby transit employee intervened.
- 4The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) has since retrieved security footage for the police.
Quick Summary
A Brazilian woman has come forward with allegations of sexual harassment following an incident at a Toronto subway station. Priscilla Costa, 36, reported that she was spied on by a man inside a women's restroom at Kipling Station on a Friday morning.
The situation escalated when Costa confronted the suspect, yet she claims she received no assistance from fellow commuters or station staff. The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) has provided relevant security footage to the authorities. Costa, who moved to Canada in 2019, expressed fear for her safety and has since modified her daily routine.
The Incident
The event unfolded in the morning hours of a Friday. According to Costa, she entered the women's facilities at the TTC station when she noticed movement in the stall next to hers. The suspect reportedly stood on the toilet seat of the adjacent cubicle to peer over the dividing wall.
Upon realizing she was being watched, Costa did not remain silent. She described her reaction as immediate and forceful. She screamed and physically pushed the man out of the bathroom. Once in the common area of the station, she attempted to flag down help to stop the man from fleeing.
"Ninguém veio para segurar o cara."
Despite her distress, Costa stated that no one intervened. She specifically noted that a transit employee was present but did not take action to detain the suspect or assist her. The man was able to leave the station freely.
"Ninguém veio para segurar o cara."— Priscilla Costa, Incident Victim
Official Response
Following the encounter, Costa proceeded to her job but returned to the matter the very next day. On Saturday, January 10, she visited a police station to officially register a boletim de ocorrência (police report). The case is currently being investigated by Canadian police as a sexual harassment offense.
The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), the agency responsible for the city's transit system, has taken steps to assist the investigation. Officials located and retrieved security camera footage from the station covering the time of the incident. This evidence was subsequently handed over to the police division handling the inquiry.
- Incident occurred at Kipling Station
- TTC retrieved security footage
- Case under investigation for sexual harassment
Impact on the Victim
The aftermath of the event has significantly altered Priscilla Costa's daily life. She relies on the Kipling Station for her commute, passing through it at least twice a week. The fear of encountering the aggressor again is a primary concern for her.
Costa has implemented several changes to her daily habits to feel safer. She now avoids wearing headphones while in transit, remains hyper-aware of crowd levels in train cars, and struggles with sleep due to the memory of the suspect's face. She expressed deep concern that the man may strike again in other locations.
"I am afraid. I am going to start checking which train car I get on, because if it is a very empty car, I won't enter."
Key Facts
The following details have been confirmed regarding the event at the Toronto subway station:
- Victim: Priscilla Costa, 36, a native of Pernambuco, Brazil.
- Location: The women's restroom at Kipling Station in Toronto.
- Date: The incident occurred on a Friday morning.
- Method: The suspect stood on an adjacent toilet to look over the partition.
- Response: Costa physically expelled the man but received no help from bystanders or staff.
- Status: The TTC provided security footage to the police, and an investigation is active.
Looking Ahead
The investigation into the sexual harassment allegation remains active with the Toronto police. Authorities are likely reviewing the security footage provided by the TTC to identify and locate the suspect.
For Priscilla Costa, the focus remains on personal safety and the psychological recovery from the trauma. Her experience highlights the vulnerability of public spaces and the critical importance of bystander and staff intervention. The community awaits further updates on the police investigation's progress.
"I am afraid. I am going to start checking which train car I get on, because if it is a very empty car, I won't enter."— Priscilla Costa, Incident Victim
Frequently Asked Questions
Priscilla Costa reported that a man entered the women's bathroom and stood on the toilet in the next stall to spy on her. She reacted by shouting and pushing him out of the facility.
No. Costa stated that despite her calls for help in the station's common area, neither other passengers nor a nearby TTC employee intervened to stop the suspect.
Costa filed a police report the day after the event. The TTC has located and provided security footage from the station to the police, who are investigating the case as sexual harassment.
Costa reported fear of re-encountering the aggressor and has changed her commuting habits, such as avoiding headphones and checking the occupancy of train cars before boarding.
