Woman raped and robbed on northwest branch trail

[Anonymous]

Hasn't this been happening since before even Chandra Levy times? It is amazing to think that this occurs regularly still and there is no real effort to make the trails safer.

[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.

Yeah, victims of other MEN

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hasn't this been happening since before even Chandra Levy times? It is amazing to think that this occurs regularly still and there is no real effort to make the trails safer.

what are your suggestions to making trails safer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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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.

Yes you are.

Do you believe in taking any safety precautions at all?

Person responsible for the attack: the attacker
Person not responsible for the attack: the victim, no matter what safety precautions the victim may or may not have taken

Just because there things to be learned from this tragic experience for that victim doesn't mean anybody is saying she is "responsible" for being attacked. I think it's right to remind people that there are measures one should take, as guys like this are not getting locked up and this isn't going to stop. As women, we have to stop them.

As women, we get to make our own decisions about which measures we find effective and appropriate to take.

Also, when you make comments about things the women did that you think they shouldn't have done, or things they didn't do that you think they should have done, then you're blaming the victim(s).

I understand that what you've written is the modern day twist to safety measures, but it's teaching young women to think that safety measures aren't important when they actually are. We can all appreciate that there are circumstances in which we may get hurt regardless of what we try to do, but that shouldn't mean that talking about safety equates to victim blaming. It doesn't.

Correct. My dd is a runner and often runs alone. For a while she would not take any self-defense products on her runs, because ‘she should not have to because that’s not the world she wants to live in’. She now has changed her tune. If she got attacked, it’s 100% the attacker’s fault. That does not negate that women can do a lot to deter an attack/attacker. They are not mutually exclusive.

Women can do a lot to make themselves feel in control of a potential attack. Which is not the same thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hasn't this been happening since before even Chandra Levy times? It is amazing to think that this occurs regularly still and there is no real effort to make the trails safer.

what are your suggestions to making trails safer?

Police call boxes. CCTV monitoring. It's a space with a natural and physical containment area. You could pilot program an AI trail monitoring system so easily.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Machetes are becoming very popular these days for committing violent crime.

It is a very Central American thing. Always has been.

The rapist in this case was from El Salvador.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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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.

No, males. No further elaboration is required.

[Anonymous]

According to ICE he is in the USA illegally https://www.fox5dc.com/news/suspect-in-silver-spring-trail-rape-case-is-in-us-illegally-ice

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:According to ICE he is in the USA illegally https://www.fox5dc.com/news/suspect-in-silver-spring-trail-rape-case-is-in-us-illegally-ice

There are consequences to loudly and repeatedly declaring yourself a "sanctuary city."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

It stinks, but women and girls have to think through how they'd react/ what length they are willing to go to to avoid being moved to a second location. I took a self defense class taught by police officers and they told the class 100% run, if you can, or fight to avoid being moved to another location. These women, and the one who was raped especially, are lucky to be alive. When a predator moves you, the risk of being murdered rises exponentially. I would rather die fighting than live with the aftermath of rape.

This thread is ridiculous and upsetting. As a women who has actually experienced an attempted stranger rape you and the pp have NO IDEA how you would react in this situation. The fact that the pp is so confident this wouldn’t have happened to her because of her ability to “fight back” is incredibly naive but I know it gives her comfort at night. It is naive because you truly can’t know how your brain and body will react. The strength of a prepared and determined man who is much physically larger than you is unfortunately quite a situation to contend with when completely caught off guard as a women.

Anyway I’m glad it gives you comfort I guess but the things you are saying to make yourself feel better hurt women in the end because it implies we have more control than we really do.

Yes, they don't realize the criminals are experts at what they do. One common thing is to attack out of the blue with a head punch to disorient the victim. They want to succeed at what they do so they make sure you are at a disadvantage from the outset. Someone needs to educate themselves before they come here bragging about being tough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:According to ICE he is in the USA illegally https://www.fox5dc.com/news/suspect-in-silver-spring-trail-rape-case-is-in-us-illegally-ice

He's also accused of raping a 15 YO last week.

The suspect who is accused of raping a 15-year-old girl and a woman on a Maryland hiking trail is in the U.S. illegally, according to officials.

Jose Roberto Hernandez-Espinal, 20, was arrested for allegedly raping a woman and stealing jewelry at Burnt Mills East Special Park in Silver Spring on Tuesday. Officials told FOX 5 DC that Hernandez-Espinal is also suspected of raping a 15-year-old girl on the same trail last week.

An ICE spokesperson told FOX 5 that Hernandez-Espinal is originally from El Salvador and illegally immigrated to the U.S. in May 2013.

According to Montgomery County Police Department, the suspect approached the adult victim and her friend on the trail on Tuesday afternoon. He then threatened them with a machete and asked for their phones.

https://www.foxnews.com/us/maryland-teen-rape-suspect-is-illegal-immigrant-el-salvador-ice

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:According to ICE he is in the USA illegally https://www.fox5dc.com/news/suspect-in-silver-spring-trail-rape-case-is-in-us-illegally-ice

There are consequences to loudly and repeatedly declaring yourself a "sanctuary city."

What is with this stale talking point?
He was ARRESTED AND CHARGED. Sanctuary does not mean you won't get ARRESTED AND THROWN IN JAIL just like any other criminal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:According to ICE he is in the USA illegally https://www.fox5dc.com/news/suspect-in-silver-spring-trail-rape-case-is-in-us-illegally-ice

There are consequences to loudly and repeatedly declaring yourself a "sanctuary city."

What is with this stale talking point?
He was ARRESTED AND CHARGED. Sanctuary does not mean you won't get ARRESTED AND THROWN IN JAIL just like any other criminal.

Evidently, he has been in the US for 10 years.
I can only wonder how many other women he raped while here.
If he weren't in the US, these women would not be just another rape statistic.

[Anonymous]

If he came here when he was 10, is he a DREAMer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:According to ICE he is in the USA illegally https://www.fox5dc.com/news/suspect-in-silver-spring-trail-rape-case-is-in-us-illegally-ice

There are consequences to loudly and repeatedly declaring yourself a "sanctuary city."

What is with this stale talking point?
He was ARRESTED AND CHARGED. Sanctuary does not mean you won't get ARRESTED AND THROWN IN JAIL just like any other criminal.

It means you welcome illegal immigrants, you dolt