Don’t accept being victimised, says Clyde woman Vicki Leggett.
White Ribbon Day on Tuesday was an international day when people wore a white ribbon to show they did not condone violence towards women.
Vicki Leggett (41), of Clyde, wanted to share her recent experience and to warn others.
‘‘My message is this: If you are victimised in any way and the police ask you if you want to take the matter further, never say no,'' Ms Leggett said.
The stay-at-home mother was on a rare night out with some friends in Alexandra recently and, after enjoying a pleasant evening, she was walking with a friend back to where she was staying the night.
On the way, she was the victim of a random attack by two teenagers. ‘‘I didn't know these people and had had no contact with them when the girl started yelling and swearing at me and then shoved me.
‘‘I shoved back and then her boyfriend arrived from out of the blue and I was shoved to the ground.''
The police were phoned and arrived straight away, she said.
‘‘They asked me there and then if I wanted to press charges and I said no; I was just in shock and absolutely mortified that it had happened to me, and wanted to go home.''
The teenage couple, who were intoxicated, were taken home by the police who gave them an official warning about the matter, she said.
‘‘It wasn't until the next day, when I realised the extent of my bruising and had a chance to think about things that I thought I should have pressed charges.''
She had bruising to her legs and thighs and a rib injury as a result of the incident and went to the Alexandra police station to file a statement.
However, she discovered the following day that because the couple had already been given an official warning by police, they could not be charged.
‘‘I have no problems with what the police did or how they handled things but I just wonder how many people realise that if someone has been given a warning because you've said you don't want to press charges, that's where everything stops. They can't later be charged,'' Ms Leggett said.
Head of the Alexandra police, Senior Sergeant Mike Cook, said that was correct.
‘‘It's double jeopardy,'' Snr Sgt Cook said.
‘‘If they've been officially warned, then the outcome's been finalised for them.
‘‘It's like if you're found not guilty of a crime then you can't later be charged with the same crime again in relation to the same incident.''
The police who attended the incident Ms Leggett referred to had ‘‘removed'' the teenage couple from the scene and taken them home.
Every person had the right to move around freely and unimpeded without being accosted by others, he said.
‘‘In circumstances like this people can call the police and we will deal with it. In this instance the victim chose not to pursue charges and the police dealt with it straightaway by removing the people and warning them.''
Most incidents involving violence attended by police, tended to be fuelled by alcohol, Snr Sgt Cook said.
‘‘It's very rare that we deal with an incident like this where alcohol isn't a factor for one or both of the parties.''
Ms Leggett said she was double the age of the teenagers and had not received an apology from them.
‘‘I raise my kids to respect others and make them accountable for their actions; where's the respect here and how are those people accountable for what they did to me?'' Ms Legget said.
Her advice to others was to press charges.
‘‘Make them accountable for what they do and don't accept being victimised.
‘‘Those two people who attacked me are just getting on with their lives, but what about me? Where's my closure?'' she said.
Seventeen years ago her car was vandalised by two youths and she caught them in the act and reported them to police.
‘‘Within a week I had received two apology letters and reparation for the damage done to my vehicle.''
The police and the youths' parents made them accountable for their actions and the matter was resolved. She felt no malice towards the youths, who turned out to be decent adults.
‘‘In this most recent case, I don't think justice has been done.''
