«I've been traveling alone for years, to all kinds of countries, but never before have I felt so truly in danger, right in my own city.»
The report of the unpleasant incident comes from Sara Puddu, from Nuoro: she was walking in the Solitudine area when a hooded man, who saw her while she was on the other side of the street, began following her.
"Making the video was my lifesaver, and I don't even want to imagine what some people do when no one's watching, especially when they're dealing with a girl who seems vulnerable," says the young woman, who decided to go public with what happened to demonstrate the insecurity that so many women often, all too often, have to deal with when they're alone. She was lucky, perhaps thanks in part to her smartphone: when the man realized the video was being filmed, he walked away.
I stepped up and left him behind, but it's absurd to have to be afraid even on the street, in your own home. It's not easy to live with people who whistle or behave in an intrusive manner, and now the situation seems to be getting worse. I've never been racist and I don't want to be, but what happened is unacceptable.
The young woman adds: "I want to say this clearly: always be vigilant. Don't stop, don't hesitate, never let anyone get too close if you feel in danger. And, unfortunately, today you need to be prepared: carry pepper spray with you because it could be what saves you when you're alone. I don't want to cause alarm, but we can no longer let our guard down," she bitterly states.
Enrico Fresu