(Trigger warning)
This is one brief story. It is mine.
uh-SAWLT
—noun
1. a sudden, violent attack; onslaught: an assault on tradition.
2. Law. an unlawful physical attack upon another; an attempt or offer to do violence to another, with or without battery, as by holding a stone or club in a threatening manner.
In April 2013 I went to Las Vegas for a weekend of fun and relaxation with a girlfriend. It was my first time in Vegas as an adult. My first time at a club. My first time dancing. No problem. I am a strong, confident woman. I've done some traveling, without incident, in places where women are advised not to go alone. And I'm not alone.
We went to several dance clubs and had a great time. Met many friendly, non-threatening men. Most were respectful of our subtle indications of interest or non. There was nothing scary. No stalkers. No one trying to spike our drinks. It was getting late and we decided we were done for the evening. My girlfriend went to say goodbye to a new friend. And I was grabbed from behind.
I'm in a large room crowded with people. And I'm certain that if some of the gentlemen around me had known what was going on...
Would they have done something? I don't know. Surrounded by people, I am effectively alone.
Standing immediately behind me, he reached around me with both hands and grabbed my crotch. He gripped my very upper thighs and pulled out. I grabbed his hands and threw them off of me. He shrugged and walked away. My girlfriend and I left the club. I didn't report him. I just wanted out. To get someplace safe.
In retrospect I should not have focused on his hands. I should have targeted his core with my elbow, assisted by an anchor from my other hand. I could have made a meaningful connection from the back of my head to his nose. I was wearing shoes that, if properly placed, would not have been comfortable. I should have yelled and drawn attention. I have taken fighting and self-defense classes. I know what I should have done. But I didn't do it. I was trained but not prepared. I don't think I really believed it would happen. I'm nearly 40. I'm not the typical mark, or so I thought.
Since then I have taken more instruction in hand to hand combat including sparring with impact. I hope I'll never have to use it.
PostScript: after writing this I realized there was another incident. When I was 22 there was some unfortunate scheduling that resulted in me being near Market street in SF alone at night. I've walked Budapest, Bratislava, other cities alone, at night. It's only at home that I've had real trouble.
