A Toronto woman speaks after being attacked at random in broad daylight and raises concerns about security in the city.
Rina Elias drew the attention of hundreds of thousands of people after publishing a video on Tiktok Describing his experience of being physically assaulted near Yonge and Dundas on January 20. Shortly after 3:20 p.m.
“The sidewalk was not busy, we were not at the head and I was not on its way,” recalls Elias.
She described man as being in the middle of the thirties, well dressed and has given no indication to be a threat.
“He seemed to go home after work,” she told Global News.
“Acute burning pain in my coast”
At 3:25 p.m., after leaving the gymnasium, Elias said she had been attacked.
“All of a sudden, when he was two meters from me, he took two big slots to me and checked me,” said Elias.
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She remembers the impact so energetic that she fell on the ground, fighting to breathe.
“I generally thought of this second, he had stabbed me because I was so rolled up. There was strong pain in my coast, ”she said.
In the video, she also explains that he had positioned his elbows outwards, causing an energetic blow.
When Elias fell on the ground, she remembers all her personal effects falling on the ground.
“He didn’t take anything, he was held above me and just moved away,” she added in tears.
“Be aware of your environment”
Shortly after the incident, Elias called 911.
“It was not caused and completely random. He was on a mission to hurt someone. If it was not me, it was the girl behind me or the girl on the other side of the street, “she said in the video.
Elias said that this experience was more aware of the dangers living in the city.
“If you live in Toronto, you must be aware of your environment at any time, it can literally happen to anyone,” she added.
Last year, 1075 assault incidents were reported in Toronto.
Since the publication of the video, Elias has said that other women had expressed their own experiences of violence not caused in Toronto – many of them have never pointed out.
Toronto police told Global News in a statement to be aware of anyone who acts with suspect. They also advise pedestrians to avoid isolated areas, to let family and friends know where the distractions are found and to maintain at least.
“Do not let people get too closer, even if they seem to have a reason, like asking for time,” the statement said.
Elias warns its users to be aware of everyone.
“I wanted to pass my point of view which is literally afraid of everyone. Everyone is dangerous until it is not dangerous, “said Elias.
Toronto police said they were investigating assault and encouraged crime victims to report such incidents.
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