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Proposed Legislation Would Make Subway Grinding A Class B Felony With Jail Time

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- It's called "subway grinding."

"On crowded subway trains all over the city, every day this happens to women," Public Advocate Bill de Blasio told WCBS 880's Jim Smith on Saturday. "A pervert gets close to them and takes advantage."

WCBS 880's Jim Smith reports 

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The public advocate said a recent court ruling proved that current penalties are not adequate, adding offenders have been released with just a slap on the wrist.

"So we've got to do something about it," de Blasio said. "We have to defend the women of our cities."

New proposed legislation would increase grinding to a Class B felony with jail time and registration as a sex offender.

"We are going to treat these sexual deviants as what they are: sex offenders," State Sen. Diane Savino said.

De Blasio said that grinding may not be rape, but he believes that women unable to move on a subway feel just as violated.

Female riders, do you constantly feel unsafe and violated on subways? Let us know in the comments section below...

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