Police investigate reports a convicted rapist is harassing women around the Illawarra
Police are investigating reports a convicted rapist has been harassing women across the Illawarra, after a Facebook post went viral overnight.
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Lake Illawarra Police are investigating reports a convicted rapist claiming to be a personal trainer, model and massage therapist has been approaching and harassing women across the Illawarra after a viral social media post.
Dozens of women have been left shaken by the encounters with the man, who has allegedly approached several women and asked for their phone numbers, while grabbing and hugging others without their permission.
It’s understood the man approaching the women has recently moved from Western Australia to the Illawarra, after he was convicted of rape in 2015.
The man was allegedly sentenced to 21 months jail in a Western Australian court for twice sexually assaulting a woman at her unit in the Perth suburb of Northbridge in April 2013. At the time, the man told the court he was justified in the acts because she “didn’t say no”.
Women around the Illawarra started sharing their stories about the man on social media on Thursday, after Wollongong local Cassie Bryan reported she had allegedly been harassed by him at Port Kembla Beach.
“He harassed me at 7am at Port Beach stopping me on a morning walk, wouldn’t leave me alone until I put his number in my phone after me telling him multiple times I wasn’t interested,” her Facebook post read.
“My cousin was harassed at Wollongong station around 12.30pm by the exact same guy saying the exact same things, wouldn’t let her on her train til she told him her number.”
Her post quickly went viral, with dozens of other women coming forward to share their experiences about the man, some suggesting he had made them feel threatened and frightened.
Some women recounted situations where the same man had allegedly followed them down the street in his car, while others allege he picked them up and hugged them after approaching them and asking for their phone numbers.
“This same guy was following me a few weeks ago in a little black car as I was walking,” one woman shared on Facebook.
“He pulled up in front of me after doing two U-turns. Kept telling me I was beautiful and he “doesn’t normally do this”. I stupidly shook his hand … I freaked out and got away because his grip was so tight I thought he was going to pull me into the car.”
Police have confirmed they are investigating the approaches, urging anyone with information to come forward.
“Officers from Lake Illawarra Police District have commenced inquiries,” A NSW Police spokesman said.
“Any person who has been approached or has concerns is urged to contact police.”
While several women have detailed their alleged experiences with the man on Facebook, police have stressed that any encounters of this nature should be reported to police immediately.
“Police are issuing a reminder for people to contact police as the first point of call with a physical description of the individual or vehicle involved,” the spokesman said.
Ms Bryan said she was “overwhelmed” by the number of women who said they’d experienced a similar situation.
“I was very shocked, I wasn't expecting so many other women to come forward,” she said.
“I feel good knowing that some of these girls have the confidence to go to the police and tell them what happened to them now.”
While she was glad her post had resonated with so many people, the 20-year-old said it was “pretty sad” that women still have to be so careful while out on their own.
“I’m glad something is finally being done,” Ms Bryan said.
“It's scary to think that he’s done this to so many other girls and that he could get away with behaving like this for so long.”
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