Why would someone yell "Hey! Stop!" if they were trying to attack you? That sounds more like a cop yelling at you.

You know, I can relate to some extent. I do carry mace because my university is in a high crime area and I've actually had to use it. Maybe this person's school is in a shady area as well. But, I still think that people's imaginations are their worst enemy - in general. There's a happy medium; you shouldn't be so naive as to think you'll never be in danger, and you shouldn't be so paranoid that the sight of your own shadow scares you.

@50, the MAJORITY of all rapes are NOT by strangers, but by people that the victim knows. 77% of all rapes are by someone that the person knows. 60% of rapes take place in the victim's house or a house of a friend or relative. I think the "stranger in the bush" is VASTLY over stated.

Your comments pisses me off so much. I am a college student and a victim. Don't you dare say anyone is paranoid for being assaulted or raped. If you were ever placed in a bad situation, your mouth would not be running off. Thank you, those who understand the necessity to protect one's self. It is a cruel world filled with untrusting people. It's never about thinking everyone wants to get in your pants. It's always protection and security first.

#56: I would like to add that the 1-in-4 and 1-in-6 in college statistic, refers to sexual assault which is "unwanted sexual contact." This ranges from groping to rape; it is at best ill-informed, and at worst disingenuous, to imply that 25% of women will be forcibly raped in their lifetimes. That being said, the best way to prevent a horrible situation is to be well aware and well prepared. Unfortunately, bad things will continue to happen to good people.

Even if the guy had said he had your money instead of just yelling "stop" it was probably better to just forget the $5 and keep walking. It COULD have been a ploy to lower your guard and get near him, after which he could have attacked you. I think OP did the right thing by speeding up and trying to get away originally.

#57 you are not alone in your feelings or situation. All you retards throwing out statistics and saying she shouldn't care ... get over your goddamn selves. I'm hoping you guys are just little 14yr. old boys who haven't experienced the real world yet, because any of the mature men I know or any girl should know that, in that situation, it was the SMART and SAFE thing to do to not turn around. Why risk your body, your life, for being polite to some man chasing you? If he had any brains at all, he would have known that is a REALLY freaking scary thing, to be chased in the dark, and he should have yelled out "You dropped $5!" Honestly, even if he said that, I probably wouldn't turn around because it could be a trick. You guys are so ridiculously naive to think that rape or assault in general is not a common thing. "Not everyone is out to get you." Sheesh. I'd like to know where you live to have grown up with such a carefree way of thinking - lucky you! I wish I could be that ignorant.

He could've just said "Hey you dropped $5"... It's not your fault I would've done the same thing.

I understand. I would have done that, too. You can't trust people these days, especially men and big men at that. Even if the possibility is slim, it is still there. A man following you and talking to you does not bode well. I wouldn't think, "Oh hey, I bet he's a good guy," in this situation. I'd be scared as hell. He should have said, "Hey, you dropped some money," not just "Stop" like a creeper. Everyone who says she deserves this can go to hell and has never been stalked, harrassed, raped, or been in any threatening situation with someone bigger and stronger. I bet all you who think she deserves it are men. You'll never be intimidated because of your mightiness and your penises or whatever rationale you have for being pushy assholes. **** off you sex-loving pigs. Women, no matter how hard they try, always have some measure of vunerability to the men who want to dominate them. Men have a one-track mind. They'll do anything to get what they want and if they want it bad enough, you're ******.

I understand it can be scary and understand why you did it. But I agree with #2. He was more f-ed up than you.