The Story

Travel can be so exhausting and stressful. Dealing with the cost of plane tickets and hotels, planning every detail, packing all your essentials. What can be even more stressful is the danger that can come with travel. Before starting her journey, a man sexually assaulted a woman in an airport parking garage.

The Danger of Travel: Detroit Man Assaults Woman in Airport Parking Garage

“ROMULUS, Mich. – A 32-year-old Southfield man has been charged for allegedly attempting to sexually assault a woman at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport.

According to officials from the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, on May 14, around 8:40 a.m. Raymond Anthony James Jr. approached an Ohio woman in the Blue Deck Parking Garage at DTW. A news release states that the suspect led the 45-year-old woman to a vacant area and attempted to sexually assault her.

Officials state that James Jr. has been charged with aggravated indecent exposure and a count of kidnapping.

“The alleged actions of this defendant once again shows that we are not safe from sexual assault anywhere or any time,” said Prosecutor Kym Worthy in a news release. “I am not trying to be an alarmist, but we must stay focused and not let incidents like this ever be relegated to the back pages again. Prevention, education, and swift action by law enforcement are key.”’

Article originally reported by ClickonDetroit.com.

What Can We Learn?

What I want you to focus on is what the survivor said in the article. She knows the importance of prevention and education. I would add training to that as well. Prepare yourself for everything. If you are traveling, take whatever precautions you can. There are tools that you cannot take with you to the airport but educating yourself on the self-defense tools you can use will be immensely helpful. Traveling in groups and always having your phone with you in case of emergency is also helpful. I also want you to think about the dangers of travel and being in unknown places without a support system.