The Day I Faced a Predator: A Personal Story and the Mission to Empower Women

We all tell ourselves, that could never happen to me. It is a comforting thought, but it is not reality. I have learned this firsthand, not just once, but multiple times. There are predators out there, and they do not always look like stereotypical villains. Sometimes, they are the people we least expect.

The story I am about to share is just one example of a dangerous situation I was lucky to walk away from. But it was not the first time I crossed paths with a predator. These experiences made me realize how common these threats are and how unprepared many of us are to handle them. They inspired me to create Protect Her Path to help women be proactive about their safety and confident in their ability to protect themselves.

The Incident

I used to work for a rental car company. Part of my job involved picking up or dropping off customers. On this particular day, a customer returning his rental car needed a ride back to his house. Typically, customers bring back the rental car and I drive them to their destination. This customer left the rental car at his house and was at my office with his own car. I got in as his passenger.

That was my first mistake.

We had not been driving for more than five minutes when he reached over and put his hand between my legs. Shocked, I immediately removed his hand and yelled “Yo!” And that is when I noticed his behavior.

He was sweating profusely, squirming in his seat, and visibly nervous. This was the moment; I realized how much danger I was in. My mind raced with terrifying possibilities: What if he drives me somewhere secluded? What if he rapes me? What if he kills me? I felt completely powerless.

We were stopped at a red light, and his foot slipped off the brake because he was so nervous and squirmy. We rolled into the car in front of us. That was my chance to get out, but I froze. I couldn’t gather my thoughts quick enough to figure out what to do. I did not have a plan or the confidence to act.

Looking back, I realize just how lucky I was. Perhaps this was his first attempt at something like this. Maybe the accident threw off whatever plan he had in mind. He had clearly put thought into this. By returning to the office with his own car instead of the rental suggests this wasn’t a random decision. It chills me to think how differently things might have gone if the situation had unfolded even slightly differently.

Fortunately, he took me back to his house. When we turned onto his street, I saw the rental car in his driveway and felt a small sense of relief, thinking maybe I would be okay. But as I reached for the door handle, he grabbed me by the back of the neck and kissed me. I pushed against him, struggling against his grip and scrambled out of the car before anything else could happen. My heart pounded as I put as much distance between us as I could.

I left, shaken but physically unharmed. I never reported the incident. At the time, I think I was in shock, and I downplayed it to protect myself emotionally. But it was a turning point for me.

This Wasn’t the First Time

What makes this incident even more significant is that it was not the first time I had crossed paths with a predator. There have been other moments in my life where I found myself in dangerous situations. Situations that could have ended very differently if I had not been lucky.

These experiences have shown me that predators exist everywhere, and they often look for moments when women are vulnerable or distracted. It is not about living in fear, it is about acknowledging that these threats exist and preparing ourselves to face them.

The Lessons I Learned

Each of these experiences taught me some hard but valuable lessons:

Proactive Preparation is Key
Hope is not a strategy. We cannot assume that we will rise to the occasion in a crisis. Practicing situational awareness, learning safety techniques, and even carrying self-defense tools can empower you to take control of your safety.

Trust Your Gut
My instincts told me something was wrong when I noticed his nervous behavior. But like many of us, I hesitated to act on those feelings. Your gut is one of your most powerful tools; listen to it.

Predators Can Be Anyone, Anywhere
It’s easy to think of predators as strangers lurking in dark alleys, but the truth is far more unsettling. Predators can be anyone; coworkers, bosses, doctors, acquaintances, or even people you trust. They often exploit familiar environments and relationships to catch their targets off guard. Being aware of this reality helps you stay vigilant without living in fear.

Have a Plan
I did not have a plan for what to do in a dangerous situation, and when the moment came, I froze. Thinking through scenarios and preparing responses ahead of time can make all the difference. It helps your brain create a kind of muscle memory, so you are less likely to panic.

Why Protect Her Path Exists

After these experiences, my perspective on safety completely shifted. I realized how vulnerable I had been and how ill-prepared I was to protect myself. But instead of letting fear control me, I decided to take action and help others do the same.

That is why I created Protect Her Path:

• To teach women situational awareness and proactive safety skills.
• To help them feel confident using self-defense tools.
• To create a community where we can share our stories, learn from each other, and build resilience together.

My mission is to empower women to take their safety into their own hands because no one else will do it for us.

Overcoming Fear of Safety

It is natural to feel fear when we think about worst-case scenarios. But fear can paralyze us if we let it. The key to overcoming that fear is preparation:

Educate Yourself: Learn about safety techniques, self-defense tools, and situational awareness.

Practice Regularly: Role-play scenarios and practice your responses until they feel second nature.

Build Confidence: The more prepared you are, the less fear will control you.

Safety is not about living in fear, it is about living with confidence and control.

We all hope we will never face a predator or find ourselves in a dangerous situation. But hope is not enough. By being proactive, we can reduce our risks, make better decisions, and act decisively when it matters most.

If my story resonates with you, let it be a reminder:

• Trust your instincts.
• Practice situational awareness.
• Plan for the unexpected.
• Take action to protect yourself.

Through Protect Her Path, I aim to share these lessons and help women build the confidence to walk their path boldly and safely. Let us empower ourselves and each other to be prepared for whatever comes our way.

Your path is yours alone. Guard it fiercely and walk it boldly.

For more resources, tips, and support, explore Protect Her Path and join our community of empowered women.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual harassment, assault, or violence, help is available. Here are some trusted organizations that offer support and resources:

National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN)
Website: https://www.rainn.org
Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
Services: Offers confidential support, guidance, and connections to local resources.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline
Website: https://www.thehotline.org
Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Text: Text “START” to 88788
Services: Provides support for domestic violence victims and survivors, including safety planning and access to shelters.

Crisis Text Line
Website: https://www.crisistextline.org
Text: Text “HELLO” to 741741
Services: Provides free, 24/7 support for any kind of crisis via text.