In 1992, KALW's Judy Silber was in Des Moines, Iowa for the Bar Mitzvah of a second cousin. On a late Saturday afternoon, she left the hotel where she was staying with her family and went out for a walk. While crossing over a bridge, a man grabbed her and pulled her down the grass embankment. A warning to listeners, this story involves some disturbing and graphic content.
I saw a man who was approaching in my direction. I thought to myself, 'Well, maybe I should cross to the other side of the street,' but I didn't. And I kept walking and we crossed. About two seconds after I thought I was done with him, he reached around. He grabbed across my chest such that I couldn't move.
To hear the full story about the assault and her recovery, click the audio player above.