PARK PROTEST AFTER INCIDENT
APROTEST will be held in a Cardiff park today over sexual assaults against women after a cyclist allegedly touched a woman ‘”inappropriately” at the park.
A masked protest, dubbed a “sit in”, will be held in Sanatorium Park, Leckwith, following an alleged incident which saw a woman approached by a man, who touched her “inappropriately.” The victim was left “extremely upset” after the incident on Thursday, April 8, at around 1.25pm. South Wales Police said the cyclist rode off, but remained in the area for a short while after.
A police spokesperson said: “A 27-year-old local woman was walking her dog in the park when she was approached by a cyclist, who touched her inappropriately. The cyclist rode off, but remained in the area for some minutes afterwards.
“The victim was extremely upset by the assault and we are appealing for any witnesses, or anyone who may have seen the cyclist, to contact us.
“The suspect is described as a white man in his late teens or early 20s, of slim build with mousey brown hair. He was dressed all in black and riding a dark-coloured push bike.”
The Reclaim Sanitorium Park sit in will take place today at 1pm.
Anne-Marie Davies, a resident in Canton involved in the protest, said the incident sparked a worry among people in the community, and has made her worry about her own daughter.
“My daughter used to go to the primary school near there, she is now in secondary school and I have always believed she would be fine walking through the park, but now I’m questioning that.
“Now I will have to teach her what to do if something like this happens, and I should not have to.
“Women should not have to worry about walking alone or worry about what they are wearing or worry about carrying a rape alarm.”
She added that everyone is welcome to attend the protest and that a conversation has been sparked about women’s safety following Sarah Everard’s death.
“To know that a person lies in wait in the middle of the day and then brazenly grabs a woman’s bottom is unacceptable. She was someone who sadly was prepared with a rape alarm, but too shocked to react.
“I want my 12-year-old daughter to be able to walk safely.”
■ Anyone with information about the alleged assault is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference 2100121357 or Crimestoppers on 0800 55511.