After my divorce, I moved to protect myself. I got a .32 automatic and took NRA lessons to qualify. I clipped a holster to the side of my purse for access. I had a CS(tear gas), military grade(illegal in my state, but who checks?), clipped to my strap. I took self-defense. I had a small punch dagger on my key chain. My ex has a restraining order, and we had no kids, so no reason for contact anyway.
Tonight I met a new contact from a site at a local Indian restaurant, a nice public place. It was a delicious dinner, and nice conversation, but no chemistry honestly. He offered to ride me home, but I didn’t want him to know my address, and I did kiss him Good Night, but I felt like it was Good Bye. I went for the Trolley, which almost takes me to my door.
The brick trolley stop is in the back of parking, but it is in sight of a major Y intersection. It was still light out. I was alert, looking around, no phone, magazine, music, or game. My keys and dagger were in 1 hand, while my purse was held at my side.
The masked man came around the side of the stop, with a gun pointed right at my face, leaving me very scared. He kicked my purse away. I am rather sure by the voice, it was the same guy. He walked me behind the stop, where I tripped and lost my keys. He got what he wanted. I heard my trolley go by, but no one stopped it to get off so it just rode by, and even the next went by as he continued. He told me to lie, face down and quiet until he was well gone.
It was now dark, and I lost the keys, and he got my purse and gun, and my address, cards, and maybe keys. My clothes were dirty, and stained, ripped but wearable. I went back to the restaurant and called the Police. The Detective checked his Social, and she said it was Private, and there was no person of that name in the town he said he was from, and his phone was off, as was mine. At least I have plenty of DNA evidence, if we can find him. The Local Police are watching my townhouse, and I have a friend staying over.
– Jan, age 26
The Detective called to say they got my cards and IDs back. I had cancelled them all, and requested replacements, but it is good to know they are out of circulation. They were found at an ATM which had no, or non-working camera, and they are checking local cameras for a picture.
He used my cards to attempt to join some dating sites, but I had cancelled the cards, so it was rejected. The Police got the IP address, though I’m not a computer nerd, so if someone could write me about what information the Police can really get.
I shopped for a new weapon at the local armory, but he persuaded me to wait in case my weapon was located. He also noted that as I had one on a stolen report, the sale might be unusually difficult. The Police are as concerned at locating my handgun, as the Rapist. I’m not sure how I feel about that.
I have been honest with friends, coworkers and family about what happened. I know most women are to embarrassed to talk frankly, but I have found an outpouring of fellowship- a woman at my work, who we honestly both were in agreement only that we despised each other, called me into her cubicle, the hugged the (stuffing) out of me, explaining that she too was raped on the street, and I had her support!
Survivor Jan
Dear Jan – thank you SO much for sharing your story and for the update. I’m also glad your credit cards and ID are out of circulation. I am so grateful to read that you have received support and have people to relate to (though I wish neither of you could relate to it at all obviously). One thing I would say to you – please don’t say “at least” I have DNA. Well actually, you can say whatever you want but please use anything like that to write off anything you’re feeling. I would also encourage you to start therapy. I’m so glad you have support from friends but sometimes having a professional to talk things through with can be really helpful. Thank you so much for posting here and I’ll be thinking of you!! Love, Alexis
Dear Friend…..Thank YOU, as I posted in my resolute steadfast stand, for allowing me to correct an oversight as I vented about my failure to defend myself.
Rather than a “at least” which might be taken as belittling the attack, perhaps a better way would be “His vicious assaults allowed us to collect ample strong evidence to be used in his eventual arrest.”
I would have rather not have the events exist, though I feel my rival and I have made use of this sad common ground. I edited my post here for (Too Much Information), but our attacks were remarkable similar, though a difference left me uncomfortable on a personal level.
Due to you post, I also examined the site. In addition to a precious format to bare emotional hardship, I see 200 pages of multiple stories of those I have common ground with from hardships that should not happen! I don’t get teary often, but I explored the site with friends, and pointed out the story of the beautiful Linor, and they looked, and said, “Yea, she is pretty.”, and I said, “Probably, she was Miss World after all, I mean I only saw her pic at the top of this page, but what I meant was her Strength to go ahead”. I want to be that.
I am looking forward to the day when I post his arrest and conviction.