(by
McKenzie Romero and Sandra Yi ksl.com 2-8-16)
A woman was raped in a Salt Lake parking garage Wednesday night as she walked alone to her car, police said.
The 23-year-old woman was returning to her car about 11 p.m. after having dinner with friends when a man grabbed her in the parking garage at 200 South Main, said Salt Lake Police Sgt. Robin Heiden.
The man grabbed the woman from behind, Heiden said, preventing her from seeing his face. The only description the woman has been able to provide so far is that his arm appeared to be olive skinned, that his voice was raspy with no accent, and he was possibly older.
The man left the woman following the attack and she called police the next day, Heiden said.
Police expect to interview the woman again this week, having allowed her some time to begin recovering from the attack, Heiden said. Investigators were also looking for surveillance footage and planned to process DNA evidence that was collected after the woman's report.
The sergeant noted that "stranger rape is extremely rare." No additional incidents have been reported, she said, noting that rape sometimes goes unreported.
"If there's anybody else out there that this has happened to in the Salt Lake area, we'd like to hear from you. Because if it has happened to somebody else, we can get a better description of this guy," she said.
Police advise women to always take note of their surroundings and to avoid walking alone at night.
"Unfortunately, you've got to pay attention to what's going on around you," Heiden said. "Salt Lake is generally a pretty safe place, but when things like this happen, it's always because somebody is alone, and it's that opportunity that is taken and then they're assaulted."
Other options include carrying pepper spray or a civilian TASER, if the individual feels comfortable carrying it, Heiden said.
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http://www.ksl.com/?sid=38436007&nid=148
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My take
I'm very disappointed in KSL's reporting of this story.
No where do they suggest learning a martial art or taking some type of martial art class as a viable way of protecting yourself. They suggest carrying pepper spray or a civilian taser, but not even a mention of the martial arts.
Someone who knows even some basic martial arts skills is going to fare better in a situation like this then someone who is relying on pepper spray or a taser, both of which will take a second or two to use.
Knowing a martial art is instantaneous. Once you think about moving you are already moving, it takes less than a second.
"Don't carry a weapon, be the weapon."
C'mon KSL, get with the program.
