Woman raped and robbed on northwest branch trail

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When I park my car on the street overnight, with valuables in plain sight and the doors unlocked and those items get stolen, I blame the thief.

Correct. The thief stole the stuff. No thief, no theft.

There are thieves. There will always be thieves. Why on earth would you leave your valuables in plain sight, in an unlocked car, when you know someone will steal them? That’s just stupid.

So don't do it.

I don’t. That’s the point. And I don’t get robbed when I bring my stuff inside. But if I left my stuff outside, in plain sight, knowing there are thieves, then c’mon - I’m either being deliberately obtuse or I’m an idiot.

And so therefore women should...what? Avoid being in public places, knowing there are rapists?

Common sense precautions. Don’t run on an isolated trail alone after dark. Don’t get drunk and leave a party with someone you don’t know. Don’t ever take a drink from someone when you haven’t seen them pour the drink. Stuff like that. Will this prevent 100% of all rapes? No. Will someone randomly get raped in broad daylight while walking down the street? Maybe. But I think throwing common sense precautions out the window makes no sense.

These were two women together, sober, in broad daylight.

That’s what I said in my post. It won’t thwart all rapes. They’re still going to happen. But I will do everything I can to lessen the chances.

Two women together, sober, in broad daylight, so you ... advise women not to run on an isolated trail after dark, don't get drunk and leave a party with someone they don't know, etc. etc. Why?

I have done a lot of things women are told not to do lest someone rape them, and not been raped. Why? Because there was no potential rapist on the scene. That's the determining factor.

I don’t want to argue. You can continue to do the things that I consider risky. I myself will not. To each his own.

+ 1 million

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When I park my car on the street overnight, with valuables in plain sight and the doors unlocked and those items get stolen, I blame the thief.

Correct. The thief stole the stuff. No thief, no theft.

There are thieves. There will always be thieves. Why on earth would you leave your valuables in plain sight, in an unlocked car, when you know someone will steal them? That’s just stupid.

There are rapists. There will always be rapists. Why on earth would two women be out walking on a trail together, knowing someone might rape them?

PP, you are ridiculous. The one to blame here is the rapist. The one to blame in the unlocked car scenario is the thief.

I disagree. I may not be able to prevent a rape or robbery, but I will take precautions to lower the chances. To be oblivious and pretend that these things don’t happen and then wonder why they did is not a smart way to be.

+1 Especially if you have young children that could be left without a parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not second guessing how these women reacted to be robbed at machete blade and one being dragged away. No one can say how they would react in that situation. I would like to think I would fight my hardest to avoid being dragged off or to stop a man from dragging my friend off. I'm going to have a talk with my hiking buddy and find out if she's willing to risk her life to save mine. I'd like to believe I would risk mine to save her.

When this thread first appeared, those of who said pretty much the same thing-fight back, do not let yourself get taken off that path--had our posts removed. Evidently, you can't even tell women to fight back now. I have no doubt in my mind that that man would never have gotten me off that trail if it were me. Of course, not blaming the victim, at all, but my husband and I have taught our teenage daughter how to defend herself and I know she would. With what the city is coming to, we have no choice.

1. How do you know that the victim didn’t fight back?

2. You can’t know what you or your daughter would do in that situation. When there is a weapon in your face and you are terrified for your life, being raped may seem like the lesser of evils.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When I park my car on the street overnight, with valuables in plain sight and the doors unlocked and those items get stolen, I blame the thief.

Correct. The thief stole the stuff. No thief, no theft.

There are thieves. There will always be thieves. Why on earth would you leave your valuables in plain sight, in an unlocked car, when you know someone will steal them? That’s just stupid.

So don't do it.

I don’t. That’s the point. And I don’t get robbed when I bring my stuff inside. But if I left my stuff outside, in plain sight, knowing there are thieves, then c’mon - I’m either being deliberately obtuse or I’m an idiot.

And so therefore women should...what? Avoid being in public places, knowing there are rapists?

Common sense precautions. Don’t run on an isolated trail alone after dark. Don’t get drunk and leave a party with someone you don’t know. Don’t ever take a drink from someone when you haven’t seen them pour the drink. Stuff like that. Will this prevent 100% of all rapes? No. Will someone randomly get raped in broad daylight while walking down the street? Maybe. But I think throwing common sense precautions out the window makes no sense.

These were two women together, sober, in broad daylight.

That’s what I said in my post. It won’t thwart all rapes. They’re still going to happen. But I will do everything I can to lessen the chances.

Two women together, sober, in broad daylight, so you ... advise women not to run on an isolated trail after dark, don't get drunk and leave a party with someone they don't know, etc. etc. Why?

I have done a lot of things women are told not to do lest someone rape them, and not been raped. Why? Because there was no potential rapist on the scene. That's the determining factor.

I don’t want to argue. You can continue to do the things that I consider risky. I myself will not. To each his own.

Exactly. Everyone makes the decisions and takes the risks they consider appropriate, and when Person A attacks Person B, we place the full blame where it belongs: on Person A. Instead of focusing on the things Person B coulda shoulda done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When I park my car on the street overnight, with valuables in plain sight and the doors unlocked and those items get stolen, I blame the thief.

Correct. The thief stole the stuff. No thief, no theft.

There are thieves. There will always be thieves. Why on earth would you leave your valuables in plain sight, in an unlocked car, when you know someone will steal them? That’s just stupid.

So don't do it.

I don’t. That’s the point. And I don’t get robbed when I bring my stuff inside. But if I left my stuff outside, in plain sight, knowing there are thieves, then c’mon - I’m either being deliberately obtuse or I’m an idiot.

Yes, FULL BLAME on person A. Unfortunately, person B still suffers. That's why it's important to try to take precautions.
And so therefore women should...what? Avoid being in public places, knowing there are rapists?

Common sense precautions. Don’t run on an isolated trail alone after dark. Don’t get drunk and leave a party with someone you don’t know. Don’t ever take a drink from someone when you haven’t seen them pour the drink. Stuff like that. Will this prevent 100% of all rapes? No. Will someone randomly get raped in broad daylight while walking down the street? Maybe. But I think throwing common sense precautions out the window makes no sense.

These were two women together, sober, in broad daylight.

That’s what I said in my post. It won’t thwart all rapes. They’re still going to happen. But I will do everything I can to lessen the chances.

Two women together, sober, in broad daylight, so you ... advise women not to run on an isolated trail after dark, don't get drunk and leave a party with someone they don't know, etc. etc. Why?

I have done a lot of things women are told not to do lest someone rape them, and not been raped. Why? Because there was no potential rapist on the scene. That's the determining factor.

I don’t want to argue. You can continue to do the things that I consider risky. I myself will not. To each his own.

Exactly. Everyone makes the decisions and takes the risks they consider appropriate, and when Person A attacks Person B, we place the full blame where it belongs: on Person A. Instead of focusing on the things Person B coulda shoulda done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When I park my car on the street overnight, with valuables in plain sight and the doors unlocked and those items get stolen, I blame the thief.

Correct. The thief stole the stuff. No thief, no theft.

There are thieves. There will always be thieves. Why on earth would you leave your valuables in plain sight, in an unlocked car, when you know someone will steal them? That’s just stupid.

So don't do it.

I don’t. That’s the point. And I don’t get robbed when I bring my stuff inside. But if I left my stuff outside, in plain sight, knowing there are thieves, then c’mon - I’m either being deliberately obtuse or I’m an idiot.

And so therefore women should...what? Avoid being in public places, knowing there are rapists?

Common sense precautions. Don’t run on an isolated trail alone after dark. Don’t get drunk and leave a party with someone you don’t know. Don’t ever take a drink from someone when you haven’t seen them pour the drink. Stuff like that. Will this prevent 100% of all rapes? No. Will someone randomly get raped in broad daylight while walking down the street? Maybe. But I think throwing common sense precautions out the window makes no sense.

These were two women together, sober, in broad daylight.

That’s what I said in my post. It won’t thwart all rapes. They’re still going to happen. But I will do everything I can to lessen the chances.

Two women together, sober, in broad daylight, so you ... advise women not to run on an isolated trail after dark, don't get drunk and leave a party with someone they don't know, etc. etc. Why?

I have done a lot of things women are told not to do lest someone rape them, and not been raped. Why? Because there was no potential rapist on the scene. That's the determining factor.

I don’t want to argue. You can continue to do the things that I consider risky. I myself will not. To each his own.

Exactly. Everyone makes the decisions and takes the risks they consider appropriate, and when Person A attacks Person B, we place the full blame where it belongs: on Person A. Instead of focusing on the things Person B coulda shoulda done.

None of us wants to be person B and so we second guess and try to plan what we would do in that situation. The reality is women aren't safe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yikes, If I had a friend with me I would not be afraid on a trail.

I hate living in a world with males. Ugh

This is a very strange response and displaced. Males are not your issues. Criminals are your issues.

The crime problem is largely male.

Male criminals. Not males.

[Anonymous]

You can add hiking alone to the list of things women can't do without the risk of being raped and killed.

https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/arrest-made-in-murder-of-north-phoenix-hiker-pd

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can add hiking alone to the list of things women can't do without the risk of being raped and killed.

https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/arrest-made-in-murder-of-north-phoenix-hiker-pd

It's been on that list as long as I've been alive and I am 55.

The victim had a buddy with her, and that didn't even help. I don't think men understand how much energy it takes to watch out for your personal safety 24/7.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can add hiking alone to the list of things women can't do without the risk of being raped and killed.

https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/arrest-made-in-murder-of-north-phoenix-hiker-pd

It's been on that list as long as I've been alive and I am 55.

The victim had a buddy with her, and that didn't even help. I don't think men understand how much energy it takes to watch out for your personal safety 24/7.

This +100.

I go out walking alone in my neighborhood, and on trails with my teenage son. Even with another person, who is a male, I still go through all the what-ifs as I think about where we are going, parking, what day, time of day, etc. These are things that do not cross his mind. For instance, when he goes out on a desolate miles long walk with a friend or even alone along the Crescent Trail into DC (certain parts on quite empty on spring or summer weekdays). I've pointed out to him that as a male, should he come up on or pass a lone female walker/runner to do so with much space and speed, so as not to potentially frighten her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can add hiking alone to the list of things women can't do without the risk of being raped and killed.

https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/arrest-made-in-murder-of-north-phoenix-hiker-pd

It's been on that list as long as I've been alive and I am 55.

The victim had a buddy with her, and that didn't even help. I don't think men understand how much energy it takes to watch out for your personal safety 24/7.

This +100.

I go out walking alone in my neighborhood, and on trails with my teenage son. Even with another person, who is a male, I still go through all the what-ifs as I think about where we are going, parking, what day, time of day, etc. These are things that do not cross his mind. For instance, when he goes out on a desolate miles long walk with a friend or even alone along the Crescent Trail into DC (certain parts on quite empty on spring or summer weekdays). I've pointed out to him that as a male, should he come up on or pass a lone female walker/runner to do so with much space and speed, so as not to potentially frighten her.

Please don’t forget males are actually more likely to be victims of violent crime (not including domestic violence). Unfortunately everyone needs to be aware of their circumstances.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My niece was stalked by a rapist from Maryland who got off easy. He should be in jail for life. DC won't keep him behind bars either.

The maximum sentences are rarely given out, and they are rarely life (in MD, only 1st degree rape is eligible for life sentences).

Various groups, typically on the left, have come out against harsh sentences for felonies.

Let them experience the consequences of their voting choices.

OMG this is not true. Quote any MoCo politician ever saying we should not give maximum sentences to rapists. You can’t because it’s jot true that MoCo wants to be soft on crime. You guys keep lying over and over.

Council Members Jawando and Mink have introduced the STEP act:

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/council/Resources/Files/agenda/col/2023/20230228/20230228_2B.pdf

This would prevent police from doing traffic stops for infrations like expired registration and defective lights.

It's done for racial equity:

"The purpose of this bill is to promote fairness by reducing racial disparities that occur
during a traffic stop"

Yet, many traffic stops result in the seizure of weapons and drugs. For example this one that got fentanyl and crystal meth out of a dealer's hands before it could reach the victims:
https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail_Pol.aspx?Item_ID=43029

I agree it's unlikely a MoCo politician is on record for reducing the penalty for rape (which anyway is set by the state, not county, so they have no control) but they are most certainly in favor of less enforcement of crimes generally.

these crimes are not violent. Completely different.

But it’s a primary way that they find people who have outstanding warrants. They run the names and plates at the stop and if the d person has an outstanding warrant to assault/DV/rape, they arrest them. How else do you think they ever find these folks with outstanding warrants? There was that thing a few years ago wheee someplace (maybe in Florida) sent all the guys with outstanding warrants a letter telling them they had won the lottery — they got a ton that way but people were also unhappy with that. People with expired plates have a high likelihood of having other criminal problems—that’s why they didn’t go renew their plates!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can add hiking alone to the list of things women can't do without the risk of being raped and killed.

https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/arrest-made-in-murder-of-north-phoenix-hiker-pd

It's been on that list as long as I've been alive and I am 55.

The victim had a buddy with her, and that didn't even help. I don't think men understand how much energy it takes to watch out for your personal safety 24/7.

This +100.

I go out walking alone in my neighborhood, and on trails with my teenage son. Even with another person, who is a male, I still go through all the what-ifs as I think about where we are going, parking, what day, time of day, etc. These are things that do not cross his mind. For instance, when he goes out on a desolate miles long walk with a friend or even alone along the Crescent Trail into DC (certain parts on quite empty on spring or summer weekdays). I've pointed out to him that as a male, should he come up on or pass a lone female walker/runner to do so with much space and speed, so as not to potentially frighten her.

Please don’t forget males are actually more likely to be victims of violent crime (not including domestic violence). Unfortunately everyone needs to be aware of their circumstances.

I’ve head that a lot but I’d be very interested in seeing the numbers for unprovoked or random crime. Men get into fights, and otherwise engage in activity that often provokes violence. But I think it’s much less commonly that they are walking down the street minding their own business and are assaulted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When I park my car on the street overnight, with valuables in plain sight and the doors unlocked and those items get stolen, I blame the thief.

Correct. The thief stole the stuff. No thief, no theft.

There are thieves. There will always be thieves. Why on earth would you leave your valuables in plain sight, in an unlocked car, when you know someone will steal them? That’s just stupid.

So don't do it.

I don’t. That’s the point. And I don’t get robbed when I bring my stuff inside. But if I left my stuff outside, in plain sight, knowing there are thieves, then c’mon - I’m either being deliberately obtuse or I’m an idiot.

And so therefore women should...what? Avoid being in public places, knowing there are rapists?

Common sense precautions. Don’t run on an isolated trail alone after dark. Don’t get drunk and leave a party with someone you don’t know. Don’t ever take a drink from someone when you haven’t seen them pour the drink. Stuff like that. Will this prevent 100% of all rapes? No. Will someone randomly get raped in broad daylight while walking down the street? Maybe. But I think throwing common sense precautions out the window makes no sense.

These were two women together, sober, in broad daylight.

That’s what I said in my post. It won’t thwart all rapes. They’re still going to happen. But I will do everything I can to lessen the chances.

Two women together, sober, in broad daylight, so you ... advise women not to run on an isolated trail after dark, don't get drunk and leave a party with someone they don't know, etc. etc. Why?

I have done a lot of things women are told not to do lest someone rape them, and not been raped. Why? Because there was no potential rapist on the scene. That's the determining factor.

I don’t want to argue. You can continue to do the things that I consider risky. I myself will not. To each his own.

Exactly. Everyone makes the decisions and takes the risks they consider appropriate, and when Person A attacks Person B, we place the full blame where it belongs: on Person A. Instead of focusing on the things Person B coulda shoulda done.

Correct. Given the prevalence of rape/sexual assault (et cetera) it would be great to see it treated as the public health catastrophe that it is. Teach boys and men not to rape. Very simple!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When I park my car on the street overnight, with valuables in plain sight and the doors unlocked and those items get stolen, I blame the thief.

Correct. The thief stole the stuff. No thief, no theft.

There are thieves. There will always be thieves. Why on earth would you leave your valuables in plain sight, in an unlocked car, when you know someone will steal them? That’s just stupid.

So don't do it.

I don’t. That’s the point. And I don’t get robbed when I bring my stuff inside. But if I left my stuff outside, in plain sight, knowing there are thieves, then c’mon - I’m either being deliberately obtuse or I’m an idiot.

And so therefore women should...what? Avoid being in public places, knowing there are rapists?

Common sense precautions. Don’t run on an isolated trail alone after dark. Don’t get drunk and leave a party with someone you don’t know. Don’t ever take a drink from someone when you haven’t seen them pour the drink. Stuff like that. Will this prevent 100% of all rapes? No. Will someone randomly get raped in broad daylight while walking down the street? Maybe. But I think throwing common sense precautions out the window makes no sense.

These were two women together, sober, in broad daylight.

That’s what I said in my post. It won’t thwart all rapes. They’re still going to happen. But I will do everything I can to lessen the chances.

Two women together, sober, in broad daylight, so you ... advise women not to run on an isolated trail after dark, don't get drunk and leave a party with someone they don't know, etc. etc. Why?

I have done a lot of things women are told not to do lest someone rape them, and not been raped. Why? Because there was no potential rapist on the scene. That's the determining factor.

I don’t want to argue. You can continue to do the things that I consider risky. I myself will not. To each his own.

Exactly. Everyone makes the decisions and takes the risks they consider appropriate, and when Person A attacks Person B, we place the full blame where it belongs: on Person A. Instead of focusing on the things Person B coulda shoulda done.

Correct. Given the prevalence of rape/sexual assault (et cetera) it would be great to see it treated as the public health catastrophe that it is. Teach boys and men not to rape. Very simple!

Because not realizing that it is unlawful, morally wrong and frankly despicable — that’s the problem.

Please.