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OMG Razzie!!!! I am so glad your instincts kicked and you acted like a running back trying to get through the defensive line during a football game.

Thank you for sharing this and really, I am sooooo glad you are okay. How are you feeling today?

Jrazz – SO VERY GLAD YOU ARE SAFE!!!

Great that you had the drive to push him away and rush out. Great reaction on your part.

Just one suggestion: If you ever (and God forbid) get into a similar situation then shout out

“I’m Jrazz! I’m a SI-Guide and we don’t take ANY shit from ANYONE!!”

I'm so sorry this happened. I'm so glad you're ok.

((((Jrazz))))

Too bad you didn't get to dump some finger nail polish remover in his eyes.

I was kind of hoping that would happen TBH.

(((((((Jrazz))))))))

I understand, more than I wish I did. I'm glad you are ok and safe.

J,

First, I'm so glad your instincts were solid here. I think your intelligence and courage really served you well on Friday.

I'm glad you're looking for an IC. This may not have turned out to be as bad as some other trauma in the not very distant past, but it's still a trauma, nonetheless. Doing a good job under high stress is one thing. Dealing with the feelings that came with the high stress is also important.

It sounds like you know this, but keep in mind, this was about him, not about you. There's no justification for his actions.

To everyone else:

This happened in a fairly new, probably well run chain store. They advertise heavily, but they're not a low-price outlet. The store is in the middle of a neighborhood that prices out at least as average to above average for the Chicago area.

You can be assaulted no matter where you are.

I'm so glad you were able to escape that situation. How incredibly frightening! I also have had a male intrude into a public restroom. There was another woman in the restroom with me; I think that kept my situation from becoming anything more than a peeping tom incident.

Please find a counselor to talk this out with. (((Jrazz)))

Oh My, That would have been so scary and invasive, please continue to take care.

I am so sorry this happened to you in our city. You handled it magnificently - I'm so glad you were able to use your core strength and your assertiveness to push past him and get out. For others who have had this kind of experience, fight and flight are two reactions to trauma, but so are freeze and going limp. All are the body's way of protecting us the best it knows how in any given situation. Sending good thoughts to all who have experienced similar assault or intrusion into their sacred space.

fight and flight are two reactions to trauma, but so are freeze and going limp.

This is so incredibly true. I was rehashing with Crazz this morning, and I found myself recounting things that had happened in the miliseconds between action.

The impulse to go limp was very strong. I don't consider it a weakness at all - it was a physical response that my brain and body were seriously considering and I had almost no say in the matter.

It didn't occur to me for one second to hurl nail polish remover at him because involving tools meant strategy and there was almost no space for that. If I had had a plan PRIOR to the encounter, I may have enacted it, but I had nothing. I had frozen terror and physical instinct. I'm no hero for getting out, I'm lucky as hell.

I like that this is turning into a message of self-defense and awareness. It was a very nice neighborhood that I hope to return to someday. I'm not going to let one jackass keep me at home in the dark, but I will definitley be looking over my shoulder more often. Jiu-jitsu is also sounding good right now. Seriously.

You did exactly what you needed to do to get yourself safe and that was the perfect response.

It angers me that so many women here have similar experiences.

Holy cow....that had to have been really frightening. I am glad you are OK.

So glad you are safe now. (((Jrazz)))

(((JRazz)))

So glad you're okay and that you followed your instincts. So many times those of us who have been subjected to sexual abuse kinda freeze when facing new threats. You didn't do that, which I think is just amazing. You are so brave.

I'm still very sorry for this experience and for that of little JRazz. I agree with other suggestions to follow up with IC.

ETA: I hadn't read all the responses but it looks like freeze response had already been covered.

[This message edited by abbycadabby at 12:39 PM, July 1st (Tuesday)]

((Jrazz))

OMG...that's so terrifying. so glad your instincts led you down the path to safety!!!

How scary! I am so glad you are okay. I also operate on the assumption I will always be safe...hard to be reminded it isn't so but it's important to be aware too.

Jiu-jitsu is also sounding good right now. Seriously.

I believe everyone should know at least some rudimentary self-defense. Simple releases from attempted holds and strikes to vital areas plus the sensibility to know when you need to do that should be taught to everyone. Jiu-jitsu isn't the easiest one either.

I only ever had to hit someone in self-defense once ... and one punch ended the encounter.

[This message edited by TrulyReconciled at 1:00 PM, July 1st (Tuesday)]

Just read this, saw the other thread you inspired in General. I'm very thankful you escaped!

((((Jrazz))))

OMG.

Just glad you are OK. That had to be terrifying. I carry a small taser in my purse...

As a college student working alone in a strip mall clothing store...I remember looking up and out the window because something caught my eye.

There was a man masturbating at me.

I too, froze. He was just...watching me. *shudder*

It probably took me 20 seconds to reach over and grab the phone to call 911, but it felt like forever. He left before the police arrived.

I've also heard about children being assaulted in bathrooms...I always wait outside the bathroom and tell my kids to not talk to strangers and start yelling if they are uncomfortable.

Uggg. So glad you are OK.

WOW. I am speechless.

So very happy that you are ok