SEATTLE — A woman assaulted in downtown Seattle is speaking out as she recovers from her injuries.
“At the end of the day it’s not anybody’s fault if they’re being attacked. It’s the attacker that is at fault,” says the women who does not want to be identified.
She says she was on her way to meet some friends at a café before enjoying the night out.
“Not even a full block after I had parked my car a man approached me from behind and kicked me in the leg,” she says.
Surveillance video captures the suspect trailing her before he catches up to her, attacks her, and then casually walks away.
The attack happened near Vine Street and Western Avenue just after 5 p.m. last Friday.
“I really don’t know why this happened, but I also feel very fortunate that I even get to ask why,” says the woman.
It left her with a sprained knee that has her in crutches and a brace for at least 6 weeks.
But it’s not her injuries she’s focused on.
“I really hope that my story can kind of shift the conversation to why do attackers have this confidence or have this channel to even release that emotion for that type of violence on somebody.”
Fortunately a Good Samaritan saw what had happened, helped her up and took her to a nearby apartment to call for help. Despite feeling slightly anxious, she’s determined to not let this act of violence make her a victim.
“I don’t want it to be something that debilitates me from going about my life. If anything, I feel like I’m going to come out stronger on the other end of this,” she says.