A September 2004 TSA directive granting airport security screeners broad leeway to conduct "pat-down" searches has led to numerous reports of sexual harassment and abuse.

Victims are reporting that they are not being offered private searches or searches by screeners of the same sex, and that "private" searches are being conducted behind screens that provide no privacy. Passengers are reporting rough, rude, and humiliating manhandling and groping of their breasts and crotch areas, demeaning sexual comments, and being forced to remove business jackets in full view of crowds, despite the fact that it is a widespread convention in our society for women to wear only bras or other undergarments underneath such jackets.

The ACLU is assessing possible responses to this policy. In doing so, it is extremely helpful for us to gain a sense of the kinds of abuses that are taking place. If you have experienced a problem with pat-down searches at airport security, you can help us end this problem by reporting your story.

LINKS
> ACLU letter to TSA on Abusive Airport Pat-Downs
> TSA guidelines on pat-down searches

PRESS COVERAGE
> Humiliating Airport Searches Irk Female Passengers (ABC News 12/21/2004)
> Women Voice Objection to Intrusive Searches (MSNBC News 12/17/2004)
> TSA Modifies Airport Patdowns (Washington Post 12/10/2004)
> Complaint Spur Change in Airport Security Checks (Seattle Times 12/10/2004)
> Outrage at the Airport ( The New York Times 11/29/2004)