Sarah Britton
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Frances 2013
Frances 2014
Portuguese 2014
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Hopefully this is not a common occurrence but today whilst walking through Columbrianos just a few metres past the Ermita Louise and I could see a man mid 30's Spanish appearance stood in a gateway with a car parked on our side of the road. He looked to be taking a toilet break which struck me as unusual as it was a residential area with a cafe bar just a minute away. As we walked towards him it became obvious this was not a toilet stop and he proceeded to perform a sexual act at the road side. Being two women on the wrong side of 50 we just tutted and walked on but were concerned for any other walkers following us particularly some of the younger single female travellers we have met. Neither of us felt confident enough in our Spanish to try reporting this to the police but just wanted to put a warning on the forum to be vigilant in this area.
Flashers are generally not known to harm women.
annelise
The biggest fear is fear itself.
But, in the interests of keeping us all safe, I have to dispel a myth.
The biggest longitudinal study of which I'm aware (Firestone, Kingston, Wexler, et al 2006) found over 30% of flashers also engage in contact or violent sexual offences. One study (Freund 1990) found that 15% had committed rape. A significant number of offenders reported flashing only when they perceived it as unsafe to do more.
It is not safe to assume a flasher is harmless. You have a 70 % chance he's a harmless grub but a 30 % chance he's a spider.
If a flasher is threatening a woman he is threatening. Try to take note of details that will identify him (height, age, build, clothing, glasses, hair) but don't hesitate too long. The police advice is to act as if you are being attacked - yell "flasher!", shout, blow a whistle, and run away. Remove yourself from his presence as fast as possible. If he tries to follow scream like a banshee.
Do not confront a flasher because you do not know how he will react. Take a photo if you can do so safely but not at risk to yourself.
And please report it to police. If you do not you are allowing him to threaten others, quite likely children.
pull out a big camping knife...start sharpening it and grin maniacally... I am so lucky (or not?) that I lived in Jamaica. It taught me a great many things about being safe. I was in a hold up there...4 big men with 8 big guns and my then boyfriend now husband was shot...he is Jamaican. I have learned since to wield a machete like a pro and I am not afraid of using one if I need to there. Guns are another story but so far all I have heard about is taser guns along the Camino. I just think be wise, walk softly and carry a big ass machete ....or walking pole...lolIt in no way ruined our Camino. As two 50+ ladies with 4 Nordic walking poles we felt well able to deal with most situations! Having returned to the UK on Saturday and completed our journey from France to Santiago we are happily planning a Portuguese Camino in June(me) a short trip to Finisterre in September( both with husbands) and Le Puy (Louise) next year.
What would the street name for a flasher be in Spanish? ....what would someone report to the police.
"Un" Exhibicionista I hope!Exhibicionista would be the Spanish word for flasher.
"Un" Exhibicionista I hope!
....what would someone report to the police.Even with minimal Spanish..there will be a word that the non-English speaking policeman will understand.
And practise... Trying to picture getting that word out in an agitated state post exhibition.That may be a word that the ladies may want to have with them.... And hopefully never need.
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