“I started yelling for help and crying as my little sister looked on”

I was 25 at the state fair one early evening with my 15 yo little sister. A group of guys approached us. We were near the main gate. As we walked towards them and my sister and I talked one of the guys grabbed my breasts very hard and twisted them in opposite directions like they were faucets. I have large breasts and have been a target so many times because of my physical appearance I couldn’t even recount them all. I screamed and yelled profanities at him at which point he and two friends poured their large drinks of beer over my head. I started yelling for help and crying all as my little sister looked on.

A cop arrived and asked what happened. I had a conservative empire-waisted cotton blouse on with a high neck and long sleeves. It was now completely transparent and totally soaked with beer as was my face and long hair. Cop pulled my sister and I aside and told me to calm down and go wash my face. He further said I shouldn’t be out un-escorted at night and not to wear such suggestive clothes. I was stunned shocked and speechless by the policeman’s caviler behavior tone and what he said to me. As I continued to cry and make a beeline for the exit, I looked back and saw the cop and group of guys looking at me and laughing.

I have never ever forgotten the humiliation and abandonment by the cop. It was like it was a private joke to all the men and the cop involved. My sister was terrified. I still think of it frequently and have dreams about how powerless I felt. I recently told my husband who was not really much interested and that stunned me, too. No idea about the pain from that night 25 years ago and why it would still bother me. I have thought about many times a day since this happened with Trump.

Optional: What’s one way you think we can make public places safer for everyone?

I can’t answer this as I don’t know. I am still followed get disturbing things said to me in my own neighborhood on walks. I am always aware of my environment and what I can use for a weapon.

– WN

Location: California state fair in Sacramento

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