The key was in the hobo gripping the trash can and motioning her over. He would have happily killed her boyfriend or at least knock him out if she had not placated him. When you have been victim to these men who can turn violent and possessive in an instance, you learn to sense the danger and position you and your friends in the safest space. Open area, no confrontation that could raise his temper, no act that could make his ego feel slighted for that will absolutely incur violence. Walking away would be a form of slighting him and hurting his ego. Also, don’t move to any enclosed area that he could follow you into, no where with walls he could push you against, no where secluded or away from the public. Have an escape route planned out incase he does advance. Be prepared to step on the subway and jump right back off as the doors close if he follows.

It’s a horrible way to live but we do it to keep ourselves and companions safe. And if you or her boyfriend had been real ‘men’ then why wouldn’t you chase him away so we can feel safer at night? Why don’t you stand up to the buddies who joke about tits and ass and tell them to stop? Why don’t you become an influencer in your circle of male friends to stop the assumption that a woman’s body is something to conquer and possess?

Her boyfriend didn’t do it for the same reason you wouldn’t — - he didn’t feel safe. Thank God she knew what to do to protect all of you .