A woman in Orange County, Florida, was recently attacked as she walked around her neighborhood at night. The incident has area residents on edge and local police looking for a man described as being 5-foot-4 in his early 30s, Fox affiliate WOFL reports.The incident took place around 11 p.m., and the 20-year-old victim told investigators that a man began following her as she walked from one house to another. The assailant approached the woman from behind and pinned her up against a wall. Her screams attracted the attention of nearby residents, causing the attacker to run off, according to the news source.
Personal safety experts say that one of the best ways to prevent such an attack is to make eye contact with suspicious individuals. Mary Ellen Burns, spokesperson for the Boston Police Department told ABC News that it "may scare off attackers because they fear you will be able to identify them."
In addition to taking preventative measures, those looking to boost their personal safety may want to consider carrying pepper spray. Experts suggest keeping the device in an easy-to-reach location so that it can be used quickly if necessary.
