The incident occurred about noon Tuesday at Foster Avenue Beach when Mbatchou allegedly tapped the victim on her shoulder in the women’s washroom while she was washing her hands, punched her in the face and dragged her into a stall, according to a police report.
According to the report, the alleged attacker then dragged her into a stall and attempted to take off her clothes at which point she began to fight him off. She screamed, kicked him in the groin and scratched his face. He then grabbed her head and slammed it against the concrete wall, causing a gash and swelling above her right eye.
Good for her!
Her willingness to fight with her attacker while screaming at the top of her lungs, even after being punched in the face was a gutsy thing to do. She not only used her body to defend herself, but more importantly, her voice! Her screams brought help from a passerby. He arrived just in time to prevent her from being raped.
Good for him!
A man heard her screams and entered the bathroom where he saw the door to the stall closed. He began to pound on the door and when he got it open, he grabbed Mbatchou by the arm and pushed him away from the woman, but Mbatchou punched him in the face and walked out, according to the report.
Not everyone would have chosen to get involved. There are some who might have called police and others who would have kept on walking or just stood there and done nothing, but not this guy. He chose to take action. He deserves a medal.
As he casually walked south on the beach, a man on a bike followed the attacker and pointed him out to police, the witness said.
What can we learn from this?
1) When using a public restroom, no matter what time of day, be alert to who is entering. Both men and women can be attacked and robbed in this environment.
2) Take a look around the area before you enter. If you see someone watching, you may want to reconsider, or get a friend to keep watch while you use the facilities.
3) If you are being physically assaulted and choose to fight, then fight all out. Do whatever is necessary to save yourself, and don’t hold back!
4) If you are attacked and are unable to fight back you can still use your voice. Yelling can save you. If you have the presence of mind to describe what is happening, like the woman who had her phone ripped out of her hand in the Loop earlier this week, then do it.
The victim escaped from being raped and the alleged assailant was arrested through the quick actions of the Good Samaritans, who made the decision to get involved. Keep that in mind the next time you hear a call for help.
