Tuscaloosa Metro Homicide is investigating a sexual assault that their 30 year old victim claims happened at knifepoint, between 11 pm and 1 am Saturday, on 1st Street NE in Holt."Lady advised she was taking her dog outside when a black male attacked her and sexually assaulted her," says Sergeant Kip Hart. He adds that the victim says she didn’t know her attacker, and they have no known witnesses at this time. Authorities say that this case is a reminder that if you are a female and you're out alone at night, you must stay on alert.
"We're all vulnerable, but I'd say women are more vulnerable to attacks than men," says Sgt. Andy Norris, who is with the Tuscaloosa sheriff's department. He offers these safety tips for women: When out, stay in a well lit area, if you have a dog to walk, do that during daylight, don't have earphones in, if you're on the cell phone, talk on the speakerphone, carry mace or a whistle, and use your car or house keys as a weapon if someone approaches you.
"If you have to, throw something at them, throw the keys at them, make them focus their attention on that and not on you, it gives you the opportunity to get away," says Sgt. Norris. Then if you can get away, he says to run and seek help.
