Preventing Sexual Assault in Air Transportation

Acts of sexual misconduct are punishable under law. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is continuing to implement a zero-tolerance policy for unruly passenger behavior, which includes assessing significant fines against passengers who engage in conduct that interferes with a crewmember’s performance of duties or who physically or sexually assault or threaten to physically or sexually assault crewmembers or other individuals on the aircraft.  

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reviews complaints it receives and conducts criminal investigations of sexual misconduct incidents occurring aboard aircraft within its jurisdiction. A State may also have concurrent jurisdiction with the Federal government to investigate and prosecute in-flight sexual misconduct incidents in situations where the flight operated solely within one State. 

Reporting Incidents

Anyone who experiences in-flight sexual misconduct should report the incident promptly to a flight attendant or an airline agent. If this is not feasible, they should immediately afterward seek local law enforcement at the airport.

They may also contact the FAA or FBI directly.

• FAA: Hotline Reporting Form
• FBI: Electronic Tip Form or 1-800-CALL-FBI 

Fighting Human Trafficking Across the Nation and Around the Globe

In addition to preventing sexual assault in transportation, DOT is also committed to fighting human trafficking by working with public and private sector stakeholders to empower transportation employees and the traveling public to recognize and report possible instances of human trafficking. DOT continues to ensure that states permanently ban drivers convicted of human trafficking from operating a commercial motor vehicle for which a commercial driver’s license or a commercial learner’s permit is required. Click here for more information about the DOT’s efforts to end human trafficking.