I am writing in regards to the woman that was “allegedly” sexually assaulted on May 14 at 4 pm on Fulton Road.
My head is spinning. My knees are buckling. My heart is so disenchanted with the world we live in and the world we raise our children in, in the streets we walk on. The fact that we have to always be on guard; looking over our shoulders, listening to the footsteps speeding up behind us, holding our keys or water bottles just so, in case we have to protect ourselves.
Just this morning a stranger, a man, knocked at my door. With the door closed behind me, we stood on my back porch talking. A friend texted me the report on this woman’s terrifying ordeal this afternoon. How do I know when I am safe? How do I know when a stranger knocks on my door if I should answer or if I should talk to them? I like to live my life with faith in humanity and to believe in the best possible outcome. But this woman’s experience has utterly freaked me out.
Something of importance that I noticed from the article is it said she was sexually assaulted but physically uninjured. How can a statement like that be made? Even if there are no bruises. Even if there is no bone broken, the term uninjured should not even be a reflection. She is now injured for life. Her body, mind, and sense of community will never be the same. The injury of that must always be remembered.
Amber Mann
