Ive been reading this thorn tree and am shocked at how many
western women get raped in Africa. An African lad of 16
attempted to rape me when I was recently in Zanzibar,
staying on the East Coast of the island, he also worked for
a hotel that LP recommend. Luckily we were nearish to some
hotels and my constant kicking and screaming forced him to
give up. I was naieve and trusting, I know its a cliche
but I never thought it would happen to me as im usually
alert and intelligent. Im going to repeat what the others
say - PLEASE BE CAREFUL and dont ever find yourself alone
with an Arican man. My heart goes out to all those women
who, unlike me, didnt get away.
[There are 12 posts - the latest was added on Sun 23 May, 14:08]
Use the form at the end of this page to add your own post.
Topics
| Thorn Tree
| Home
I haven't had an attempt of rape on me but have found men
from other cultures very familar with western women, much
more than they would be with their own. It seems to me
that movies etc have given them the impression that we are
easy. Your warning is very apt and something us women
should be very aware of. I think another problem is that
when we are travelling we tend to be out for a good time
and eager to get to know the locals, maybe this sends out
the wrong vibes. It's a shame but I suppose there are bad
people where ever we go.
I was drugged, raped on Ko Phang Nam in Thailand - backpacking on my own I felt myself getting very high and out of control. I left, and went to my bungalow, locked the door. Unfortunately, he was the caretaker of the place and got in anyway. And I just thought that I had been 'experiencing the people' by having a couple of drinks with the guy. I learned the hard way. Don't trust anyone when you're a single woman travelling - you're safe nowhere. I don't think I would travel alone again.
No, it's not just Africa - you're not safe anywhere!
I was attacked in a park in Gdansk, Poland - 11.00am, broad
daylight, plenty of other people around - just not at that
particular moment. He was sitting on a park bench reading a
newspaper - I had walked past several other men doing just
that alrady that morning and thought nothing of it. The
next thing I knew he had jumped up and was blocking my
path. He grabbed me and could have easily dragged me into
the bushes nearby but I somehow managed to struggle free and
run to a place where there was a family picnicking.
I NEVER knew I could run so fast, amazing what adrenalin can
do! Once I reached safety I remember looking back and saw
him on the edge of the trees glaring at me with his penis
hanging out.
It hasn't stopped me travelling alone but has made me very
much more aware - don't trust anyone! Anywhere!!
Don't you find it hard not to become a complete man-hater? (I do.)
I am male myself and even I could become a "men-hater" from
what I read here. Not all men think through their penis! The
only possible consequence for us men is to help when we see
some woman is being bothered.
yeah but most do. That's the issue. i was nearly raped by a
sudanese professor on the train from wadi halfa to khartoum
and a senegalese student in Paris who invited me to listen
to some reggae music. learn some self-defence, carry
capsicum spray or grow your nails very long and sharp.
It's mostly a matter of luck or rather misfortune. i've been
hitching all over the world for 20 years and managed to
avoid an actual rape.
Yes it's a bad experience and possible everywhere. With a
friend we have been attacked by 3 beduins in yemenia; our
guide saved our lives and we haven't been raped at the end .
We were not alone, 2 mens with us and a military with his
gun. The problem is what to do when the local authority
agree with that because they prefer have problem with 2
french tourists ( specially womens in arabic countries) and
the local beduin who are more dangerous!
The reactions of the authorities, your male friends ...are
also difficult: they laugh because they feel bad about
that,. "Oh you don't have been raped only touched, it's no
important." And " you should stay in your country, what an
idea to go in those sort of countries"...
It's stupid because every year tourists are raped in
europe, USA... even if your are carefully it's just not easy
to be a women.
Cecile, si tu es francaise, alors tu sais que tu as bcp plus
de chance d'etre violee en France et en Italie qu'en
Afrique. Ou que tu ailles, STP, gardes tes bonnes vieilles
habitudes, restes sur tes gardes, et tu n'auras pas de
problemes.
Now, for the ENGLISH speakers, what do you mean by "don't
ever be alone with an African man"? Don't you think this is
a far fetched statement? Do you have any idea of how many
men there are in Africa; and, because a single one of then
tried to rape you, everybody has to stay away from every men
on the entire CONTINENT? Do you even realize that Africa is
a continent? If a Russian guy tried to rape you, would you
advise that women stay away from the entire male population
of Europe? Please, stop generalizing, and remember that
Africa isn't a country: it's a continent larger than what
you believe.
If so many women stopped dressing inappropriatly. some
outfits ive seen are really offensive to local
sensibilities. Im not giving an excuse, but if it walks
like a duck, talks like a duck its a duck is many mens
logic.
In addition to the way they dress, another way for women to
protect themselves is to be aware of body language. Eye
contact and a friendly "overtness" can be mis-interpreted
as "willingness." It is the way prostitutes signal, isn't
it, so just be aware that in some countries women have
learned to be very demure when in public to signal
their "unavailability." So give a thought to body language
as a defensive measure, and consider what might be
considered provocative, just as you would clothing. Another
defensive measure is to attach yourself very quickly to a
group or at least one other woman. If you're feeling
threatened, just physically move in while you're waiting
for the bus or train, or while you're sightseeing or
shopping. Let it appear to others that you're with them.
Strike up a conversation whether they speak your language
or not so others think you are with them--know what I mean?
Chances are a potential rapist will pass you by. But all
said and done, aggressive sex is everywhere, sad to say.
I was accosted by a man in West Africa after I stopped to
rest after a jog. I am male (I was 27 in good shape). He
attempted to reach up under my shorts after he had struck up
a conversation in the park where I had stopped to sit. He
wasn't very strong and I was more amused than anything. But
he was persistent (and he vehemently denied being
homosexual when I asked him). And it did not dissuade me
from jogging. I hate to admit it, but I guess I was a bit
flattered. That was the only "incident" I had in two months
of travel. A gay acquaintance later told me that I must
have been in a place where gay men meet each other,
otherwise he said that that would not just happen anywhere.
The greatest Threat to Women travellers World wide?? Men.