Transit police are warning women after a spike in the number of sexual harassment and assault incidents on buses and SkyTrains.

Spokeswoman Anne Drennan said reports of incidents have increased nearly 25 per cent since June – and that only one in 10 incidents are actually reported.

Many of the attacks target women from other counties -- transit police released a video of a suspect accused of forcing himself upon a 29-year-old Japanese exchange student.

That incident occurred last September at a SkyTrain station in Surrey, but the victim was so traumatized she only just reported the attack.

“ESL students are often the targets of these sexual predators,” Drennan said. “They recognize these young women are more vulnerable, and that’s usually because English is their second language.”

On Monday, a 37-year-old man from White Rock was charged with rubbing up against a 21-year-old woman in a sexual manner.

Sebastian Ramon Lopez had around 150 contacts with police in Metro Vancouver, 50 of those with transit cops alone, according to Drennan.

She recommended victims of abuse report any incidents to police, not only for themselves, but for the safety of all other transit passengers.

In response to the string of incidents, students at the University of British Columbia gathered Monday night to discuss the broader topic of transit safety for students already fearful in the wake of several unsolved sexual assaults on the Vancouver campus.

“We want women to speak out, we want men to speak out,” said organizer Ellen Woodsworth. “It’s the responsibility of leaders in our society to do something to act to prevent this kind of harassment.”

Transit police have provided tips for women to stay safe on transit, including:

  • Try to sit in an aisle seat when you can, so you’re not trapped if something happens.
  • Women should try to sit next to other women or sit next to the driver on a bus.
  • Text 87-77-77 to report any suspicious or offensive behavior.

Police are encouraging the public to view the video from the September attack and those with information are asked to call transit police at 604-515-8300.

With files from The Canadian Press and CTV British Columbia's Michele Brunoro