A Brooklyn woman has claimed that she was raped on Coney Island while celebrating the Fourth of July. The 25-year-old woman told CBS News that instead of helping her during the brutal attack, bystanders laughed and filmed the incident.
The incident has sparked outrage and highlighted the alarming issue of bystander apathy in such situations. Authorities are urging anyone with information or video footage to come forward to aid in the investigation.
Details of the Attack
The victim stated that around 3 AM, she tripped over a walking mat on the beach while trying to escape a man she described as having “bad vibes.” She recalled, “He saw that I was on the floor and that’s when he put his face between my legs, and I started screaming and everyone started laughing and recording me. Nobody helped. Nobody stopped.”
The victim said that at one point after she was allegedly attacked, a light from a golf cart shone on her and the man. However, the person simply drove off. The woman has reported the attack to the NYPD, the New York Post reported.
The victim said that she was initially able to free herself and flee the beach, however, the attacker followed her down Stillwell Avenue and raped her. “My face hit the bushes. I couldn’t do anything … I was just really scared and then I was screaming for help,” she recalled. “I was just terrified, and I couldn’t fight back,” she added, saying there were no witnesses to the rape.
Events Leading Up to the Incident
The woman mentioned that she arrived at the boardwalk around 11 PM after the fireworks ended. She mentioned to News12 Brooklyn that she was hanging out with a few people she had just met, one of whom was her alleged attacker.
Following the assault, she said that the group ran away, leaving her behind. She decided to share her story in hopes of getting the attacker off the streets. As of now, the NYPD has not released any statements regarding the alleged crime.
Conclusion
This incident has raised serious concerns about safety and the responsibilities of bystanders in emergency situations. It serves as a reminder of the importance of taking action to help those in need.