For Sara, another running round has not happened yet. “It makes me angry that it feels like I have to look over my shoulder now,” she says. “I hope I can pick up my routine again, but every time I run past this place I will think about it. I find that so unfair that I have to be reminded of the fact that I have been assaulted here at this location.”
Hundreds of stories
She shared her story on social media and received hundreds of reactions from women who have experienced similar things. It was a good reason for her to keep sharing her story. “Nobody should experience this when you go outside,” she says. “This is a problem and I believe we have to get up and create more awareness that this is happening. That’s how we can stop.”
‘Extra supervision’
The police have not yet made any arrests, but calls on the perpetrators to ‘stop this behavior immediately’. In addition, they are actively monitoring in the parks to prevent the next case. “We are conducting extra supervision,” says Van den Morning. “Visible and invisible, because we can act faster and see more happen. A uniform scares suspects.”