A Gympie teen’s post about a creepy experience prompts safety message

A Gympie teenager has turned to social media to warn other women after a creepy encounter in the city’s main street in broad daylight. Police are investigating.

Mid-morning on Mary St, Gympie is where a teen had a harrowing experience with an stranger. Picture: Christine Schindler

A Gympie teenager’s warning post about a creepy experience has been shared widely on social media, prompting more awareness around personal safety and mental health.

The teenager said she was approached by a man in his 50s or 60s with short grey hair around 10.30am in Mary St in the Gympie CBD last week.

He initiated conversation with her by telling her she seemed “like a nice young lady,” the teen wrote in the post.

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Thinking it was a compliment, she said she responded with thanks, then he told her he didn’t like it when women were called the “s word”, the post said.

“I replied with ‘yeah it’s not nice hey’ and he said “come here” and pulled me in and then tried to hug me and kiss me on the mouth, I tried my best to avoid it happening but he did it, I left the area.

“He knew what he did was wrong because he said “I hope police didn’t see that” which leads me to also believe he’s done it before.”

The teen reported it to the police and posted it as a warning to other people who might encounter the man.

A QPS spokesperson said the matter had been reported to the police and they were looking into it.

A teen had a harrowing experience on Mary St in Gympie midmorning with an older man. Picture: Christine Schindler

The man is believed to have “reduced (cognitive) capacity”, according to police.

They said while he may not have the ability to understand the legal process if charged and taken through the courts, it did not diminish the nature of his actions.

The teen’s post generated many comments sympathising, passing on condolences, and expressing contempt and disgust for what happened.

“How horrible and scary, good on you for reporting it and warning others on here,” Sam Skippy White said.

Some comments drew attention to the need for self-defense for teenage girls, complaints over the justice system, and more awareness, care, and systems in place for people suffering with mental health conditions.

“Do you girls want to start learning self defence? I can work out some groups to know how to deal with this kind of situations,” Lore Mae Bcn said.

“A lot of seniors with dementia will develop disinhibited behaviours like this, just a note for any vigilantes who might feel aggressive towards him. He's definitely not in his right mind. A little humanity goes a long way,” Sharon Jones said.

Visit the my police website for their recommended personal safety advice.