Sexually Harassed in Amwaj Islands

Last activity 12 February 2012 by qaslaw

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angel1984Member12 January 2012 07:22:26

Hi,

I just wanted to have a voice as a woman living in Bahrain.

I was running at 10:30 AM in Amwaj Islands when a man pulled over in a round-a-bout and rolled down his window. He waved me over as if he needed directions. The situation seemed innocent because many visitors have been lost in Amwaj before, and it was in broad daylight in Amwaj.

I jogged over and he started asking me questions like "Where is Tala....how do I get there....etc" I pointed him in the right direction. Then he started asking me "Where is the Lagoon..." I began to feel that something was not right. I suddenly looked down, and saw that he had TAKEN OUT HIS **** and was ********** it off!!! He was trying keep me there by asking stupid questions so that he could ......

Disgusted and shocked, I cursed at him and ran off. I waved down the Amwaj Security and luckily the man was caught. I spent the whole morning at the police station pressing charges and feeling violated as a woman.

[Moderated]

Friends have told me that he might just get off the hook, get a fine or get a maximum of 2 days in jail????

I am just so appalled by this man's actions. I feel hurt and violated. I could not believe that something like that happened in a neighborhood like Amwaj which is regarded as safe.

I've also heard that I'm not the only one, and this is not the first occurrence in Amwaj.

I just don't understand why a man would violate and disrespect a woman like that on the street. Why do these men feel that any woman walking on the street is a sex object????

I feel so sad, disappointed, and very let down in the culture and in the legal system. The fact that it is accepted that all women walking on the street is a sex object. The fact that the police actually had a small chuckle when I told them about my experience. Bahrain is a conservative country and a crime like this should be carried out with severe punishments, not just a fine or 2 days in jail. Even in more liberal countries, this man would have been given more punishment.

......so to all the women in Bahrain. Please be safe when you go out alone. Always try to go out with a buddy. If you must go alone, DO NOT EVER TALK to anyone, no matter how innocent the situation may seem. Take precautions no matter where you live, even if you think your neighborhood is safe.

Last note, I would like to thank the Amwaj Manager because he is the only person that seemed to take this situation seriously. I'm really thankful that at least one person sees the seriousness of the situation.

anna66Guest12 January 2012 09:29:11

214245

Dear Angel,
I feel really sorry for you..
Thanks for sharing ur story and for advice... but still I keep and I will keep going alone jogging (my buddy is my mobile) and if any of this pigs will show me his ridiculus part, I will take a video and post on you tube!
I do not want to play down the dramatic of your experience but, girl, take it easy! The world is full of perverted ...(not only in Bahrain),forget, keep jogging alone and learn to show the middle finger!
Keep cool
Anna

VidoDidoViP12 January 2012 18:40:40

1002

Hi Angel1984,

I don't want to wax philosophic, but I Really feel very sorry for what you have been through and very disappointed as the law does allow to such incidents to happen due to lack of serious punishment against those who behave in such manners which neither culture nor religion tolerate.

I deem to agree with Anna66 to certain extent and her initiative in this regard, you don't have to panic and you don't have to stop jogging alone ... keep going and don't allow to such incidents to let you down and allow absolutely nothing to hamper you or hold you up in any way.

Thank you very much for sharing the topic ... I'm really confident that you will get over this situation and turn over this page

Wish you miles of smile in your coming days

Regards

Olivier-FranceViP14 January 2012 14:14:00

1050

Hi Angel,

Really sorry to read what happened to you and I can only imagine how disturbing that can be. Thank you for sharing that by the way.
Nevertheless, I do agree with Anna & Vidodido. Such incidents are (luckily !) pretty rare here so don't change your lifestyle because of what happened.
You were totally right to press charges because I've heard from some western countries that a lot of those harassment are not reported so no action is taken.

Hope your life will go back to normal soon

Cheers

Olivier

MrayesSerial expat25 January 2012 04:46:06

212

Im really sorry to hear this. I totally agree with Olivier, Such cases rarely happens and you should always press charges.

The problem with Amwaj it turned to be a commercial island instead of residential, so all kind of people are welcomed in! which is bad!

deanoasNew member03 February 2012 09:17:45

that messed up, sorry for u dear

Abdulla ZayedMember08 February 2012 19:21:58

dear
such things can happen anywhere including Bahrain. We never had such things before but it looks that some people are still have sick minds. I feel so sorry for you and being a Bahraini and I like my country I wouldnt like to hear such things to happen to anyone. You have done a good job by reporting your case so he will they will take action against him.

I feel so sorry for you and I hope nothing of such things would happen again to you or to anyone else.

i do not know if he is a Bahraini but if he is, then I would ask him if he would let any stragne person does such thing to his sister, his wife etc..

qaslawNew member09 February 2012 10:23:43

Sorry about your experience. The sorry man obviously got 'incensed' by your dressing. I suggest you choose wisely your jogging areas next time. Why not consider non public places to exercise your body?

anna66Guest09 February 2012 13:24:46

214245

qaslaw wrote:
Sorry about your experience. The sorry man obviously got 'incensed' by your dressing. I suggest you choose wisely your jogging areas next time. Why not consider non public places to exercise your body?

I hope you will not move to Bahrain, otherweise we ll have 2 sorry men

qaslawNew member09 February 2012 15:47:36

#10

Sorry for offending your sensibilities anna66, I was only being objective.
I am a muslim and I've got to speak based on my convictions. I only have the duty of being polite as much as possible.

anna66Guest09 February 2012 16:17:35

#11

214245

I respect your religious convictions but Angel was already harrassed and I find it's a shame to harrass her a second time here with your polite post...
Anyway brother Allah ma3k, peace and eventually Marhaban bika fi
Bahrain!

Olivier-FranceViP11 February 2012 17:41:28

#12

1050

Hi Qaslaw,

Actually, I do agree with Anna. I'm also a man, and it has happened to me to be "incensed" by a woman behavior or outfit. I do not think this allows me to behave like an animal and embarrass myself the way that man did. It's a little too easy to blame the victim the way you did putting the understatement that after all, it was somehow her fault, and maybe she deserved it...
Sounds rather hypocrite and particularly sexist to me, whatever the religion your faith goes to !

Olivier

qaslawNew member12 February 2012 04:51:05

#13

Thanks for the enlightenment, Olivier-France. What you said is right. I think a fair concensus will be to say both sides have something to learn from the incident.
Pls dont take my views to imply justifying the man's action. The man's action was shameful to say the least.
Tnks

Closed

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