What To Expect If You Are a Person Who Is a Victim of Sexual Trauma
Air Travel
TSA understands that passengers who are victims of sexual trauma may have concerns about the screening process and may require additional assistance. Accordingly, TSA will make every effort to accommodate a person’s needs; however, to keep us all safe, all travelers must undergo security screening prior to airline travel.
What Choices Do You Have In The Screening Process?
- Depending on the airport configuration, you may be directed through a metal detector or advanced imaging technology for screening. You have the option of undergoing a thorough pat-down in lieu of either of these two technologies.
- A pat-down will also be performed if there is an alarm of the metal detector, if the imaging technology shows an anomaly or may be performed on a random basis.
- If you chose to undergo a pat-down, or a pat-down is otherwise required, you may request that the pat-down take place in a private screening area. Depending on the location, a private screening area may be a separate room or an area away from the general public’s view.
- You may request that a traveling companion be present as a witness during the pat-down.
- If you are unable to stand, or to remain standing, during the pat-down, you may request to sit while the screening procedure takes place.
What Else Should I Know About The Screening Process?
- You may tell the Transportation Security Officer that you would appreciate that your screening be handled as discreetly and quietly as possible. You should neither be asked to nor agree to lift, remove, or raise any article of clothing to reveal a sensitive area of the body (such as the buttocks, groin, or breasts [for females]).
- Bare or exposed skin should not be touched by the security officer..
- If the security officer’s gloves alarm for explosive traces after conducting your pat-down, you will need to undergo additional screening.
- You are free to ask the security officer about screening and the screening equipment.
What Should I Do To Facilitate The Screening Process?
- If you are comfortable stating that you are a victim of sexual trauma, please let the TSO know. You may also use a travel communication card, which provides a mechanism to protect your privacy and to facilitate discreet communication with TSA personnel. To assist you in this process, TSA recently made a notification template available which can be found at by clicking here. Please note that use of the notification card does not exempt anyone from a pat-down if a pat-down is required..
- If you believe that you may have difficulty undergoing the screening process, you may contact the Customer Support and Quality Improvement Manager (CSM) located at each airport before or after arrival. The CSM should be available to assist you through the screening process. The airport you are departing from should be able to provide their contact information.
- If the officer is not responsive to your requests for information, or you are dissatisfied with your screening process for other reasons, you may ask to speak with a supervisor.
