The lights were dingy and dim. Suddenly, I was sexually assaulted.
The only other person on the cart touched me on the arm with his exposed genitals. I ran after him
and screamed on top of my lungs. No one around me in the subway station helped, and after a physical
altercation which resulted in my phone being thrown on the ground, he ran away.
"WHY DID YOU TOUCH ME?????"
The aftermath made me develop PTSD symptoms,especially the interactions with the NYPD.
"Are any of these photos the suspect?"
"Can you talk louder? I can't hear you."
*After explaining what happened for the eighth time*
"Wait so.... What happened again? Can you email me this photo?""
"You shouldn't have gotten so close to him, that's very dangerous."
"Do you know his name?"
"What is he wearing?"
"What's the current location?"
As well as what people said about me on social media.
"Why didn't you carry pepper spray???"Why do women have to fear for their safety? "Don't go outside so late!!!"This happened at 11:38am on a weeekday morning. "Always walk around with your friend and never alone!!!"So am I supposed to be with someone 24/7? "So dumb! Why would you fight back?"If I didn't fight back, did you just expect me to accept it?
I hope by speaking out, people will rethink about the narrative of what the stereotypical "Asian woman" is like, as well as
the sexual and physical violence towards women that happens almost on a daily.
