22, June 2007
I had just graduated, I went out for a meal with friends. We stayed out for drinks and about 11ish I walked home. I had walked this way for the last 2 years without incident. Halfway home I noticed this individual following me, eventually they asked me if I was prostitute. I advised I wasn’t and he walked past me and turned off. As I came up to that street he jumped out – grabbed my breasts really hard and scratched them. He then exposed himself and masturbated in front of me before running off.
When I rang the police, I was advised by the (female) operator it wasn’t assault. I went home and went to bed – not long after the police came knocking on the door. I got a lovely ride around the one way streets of Reading – unfortunately it was raining so all the evidence had washed away but they took my clothes and swabs of my skin.
The next day was awful, everywhere I looked this guy was there. I had an emotional breakdown in the o2 shop – I am forever grateful for them giving me a quiet space and a cup of tea.
A few weeks later I went and completed a line up – I correctly identified the individual but they had left the country.
I would like to say this was the first time or even the last time I was assaulted but I was also a victim of DV before and after.