I'm not sure what to do - help

[emsumm]

My cousin and her best friend R moved to the city in August from a smallish town. They are young and sweet and love being here. Cousin called me a half hour ago (5:30 am), some fucker attempted to rape R as she was on her way to work (she goes before dawn). He touched her but she got away. Cousin is sobbing, police are there, R wants to stay at work. My H is on his way there. What do we do??

[Deleted]

Omg how terrifying!! Not sure what you can do but how scary!

[ooglie26]

Oh no! I honestly don't know...could you offer a place to stay if they need a safe place to stay until they collect their thoughts? Definitely keeping them in my thoughts and prayers.

[underwaterrhymes]

Can you get someone to watch the girls for the day and bring your cousin and R to your house?

That's so scary. I'm sorry.

[lola]

Oh man. I agree - maybe offer them a place to stay if they want to come home w/ your H for a few days.

Where in the City are they? I'm here, if there's anything I can do to help. I am headed to church, but will check my PMs throughout the day.

[emsumm]

H is already on his way to get cousin, but R is insisting she wants to stay at work and I don't want to push. We're going to go get her after her shift.
Cousin is more audibly upset than R, but I'm afraid R is in shock or something? She said she'd give a statement at work.
I already told both of them they can stay here whenever and as long as they want.
This is so shitty.

[snickers]

oh man

[emsumm]

We just took a nap, she slept with me. Seems better. We'll go get R soon.
I hate that this happened to them in my city. I'm afraid they're going to want to leave now.

[papie]

OMG how horrible. Definitely offering a place to stay is a nice thing to do, and keeping them company, maybe having them come over for dinner a few times this week. How does she go to work? Walk? PT?

[emsumm]

papie, she walks to the El, that's where it happened. I'm getting her pepper spray, and right now I think cousin will get up with her and walk her. She leaves so early - 4 am.

[lissaholly]

Oh no!

I always felt so safe there, that I am always shocked by shit like this! Can she find a new route? Can she bike to the El station? So sorry for your cousin and friend:(

ETA: Wait, it happened at the EL station? If that is so I am incredibly disturbed, which line?

[emsumm]

luckydog, thanks. I'm buying them both personal alarms.

[runforrest]

Poor girl . How scary.

[Deleted]

OMG. Just be there for her to voice her fears to.

That poor girl.

I hate that man. Hate.

[emsumm]

I hate him too, @lazerus24.
She's doing really well. She's very shaken up, but seems strong, too. They're here tonight, they both work in the city tomorrow but they're coming back for a few days to stay here after that. I made R's favorite dinner and took them to my gym to hot tub and steam and relax, and they're both asleep now. I feel so bad.

[Jermys]

Recommend a self defense class. www.thumbtack.com/il/chicago/self-defense/

Really, every woman should take a self defense class at least once. I feel confident that I could, at the very least, escape an attacker if not righteously fuck him up. I would never have known that I should gouge his eyes out first instead of going for his jigglies first. They're expecting and guarding against the nut shot. Not their eyes.

[emsumm]

Jermy's, great idea.
She said the worst part is that he was completely silent. She never even heard him until he had her. It was dark and deserted. I am so fucking glad she got away.