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Woman Speaks Out With Advice To Other Victims After Fighting Off Attacker In Apartment Gym
A woman exercising in a Tampa, Florida apartment complex gym recently had one of most women's worst nightmares.
Nashali Alma was assaulted by a man as she was working out alone.
However, Alma is a strength trainer and fought him off successfully, not relenting until she could get away.
The man was located and arrested the next day.
In an interview, Alma gave advice that she says saved her—just keep fighting.
"My parents always told me that in live you never give up on anything."
"That's what I was thinking when I was fighting him....If I keep going, if I keep pushing, keep fighting, he's gonna stop."
"He's gonna let go."
Once free, Alma ran to a nearby apartment to call for help.
People were glad Alma got away.
\u201c@CBSNews I\u2019m glad she\u2019s ok that dude hope he get some serious time\u201d— CBS News (@CBS News) 1676590767
\u201c@CBSNews I saw an interview with her. She was able to hold him off because she is an incredibly strong body builder and she essentially wore him out. Not many women would be as successful.\u201d— CBS News (@CBS News) 1676590767
Others commented on how their nightmare is this happening at a gym, where they go to work out and find some peace.
\u201c@CBSNews I wish I hadn't watched this. The gym is my place of peace. \n\nI'm a woman; I'm aware of such threats. Nothing new.\n\nI'm so RELIEVED she got away from him.\n\nHowever, this video will be stuck in my head now. Sigh.\u201d— CBS News (@CBS News) 1676590767
\u201c@CBSNews I go to all women gym to minimise this risk at gym, but can happen anywhere anytime.\u201d— CBS News (@CBS News) 1676590767
Many commenters remarked it's not just the gym.
Threats to women's safety are everywhere.
\u201c@CBSNews Showed this to my daughter (17) as a reminder that the world will never be safe for women. She needs to be vigilant. And as I said to her, never trust a guy at the door claiming he needs to be there.\u201d— CBS News (@CBS News) 1676590767
\u201c@CBSNews It must be nice to be able to go into a gym and not be afraid of being attacked.\n-or for a walk by yourself at night\n-or to your parked car in a shopping center\n-or wait for a bus\n-or walk your dog\n-or sit on your front steps\n-or go to your dorm after a class\n-or anywhere alone.\u201d— CBS News (@CBS News) 1676590767
\u201c@CBSNews I read an article that polled random women, the subject was something like \u201cwhat would you do, if you could do anything\u201d. The answers were like, get gas in the middle of the night, walk across an empty parking lot at night. Eye opening for me, as a man, I never realized \ud83d\ude14\u201d— CBS News (@CBS News) 1676590767
\u201c@CBSNews Women aren't safe anywhere.\u201d— CBS News (@CBS News) 1676590767
Constant vigilance is tiring, one woman shared.
\u201c@CBSNews So damn tired of us women always having to be on alert! It\u2019s something we learned as little girls! Always told to be aware of our surroundings! It gets old!!\u201d— CBS News (@CBS News) 1676590767
Several people suggested women get a weapon.
\u201c@CBSNews Ladies skip the piece of paper and get a piece. Equalizer\u201d— CBS News (@CBS News) 1676590767
However, others pointed out if you bring a weapon to a fight, you need to be prepared for it to be used against you.
\u201c@CBSNews Survivor insight - Weapons are great if you see the perp coming and have time/distance to use them. What if you don't have time or freeze? If you're overpowered, that gun, mace, knife WILL be used against you. Not having a gun during a stranger attack 100% saved my life.\u201d— CBS News (@CBS News) 1676590767
Finally, several suggested people familiarize themselves with the security features on their phones, which can sometimes help.
\u201c@CBSNews We need better understanding of the SOS function on iPhones. My wife accidentally activated it on her phone Tuesday. It notified 911 and sent her sister and I an SOS message with a pin on the map. At the same time to police called her and insisted on seeing her to check on her.\u201d— CBS News (@CBS News) 1676590767
We're glad Alma got away and her experience and advice with others.