Victim of crime when pregnant

[Ellora]

Dear ladies

I am sorry if this story is a bit downbeat, but was yesterday the victim of a mugging in South East London and really need to share this with someone.

Walking out of the train station and home whilst 6 months pregnant and was lagging behind as I was tired after along day at work on the phone to my mum. A teenage kid came up behind me and grabbed me and then my phone as I struggled my instincts kicked in and I let go of the phone!

Unfortunately there was woman across the road who saw what was happening and within seconds another kid had assaulted her round the head with his belt buckle to stop her getting involved.

As you can tell we were pretty shaken up and I went to her aid and called the police who had CID there in seconds due to the assault on the woman!

My husband also turned up in seconds as my poor mother who just heard screaming calle my husband and told him I was in trouble and he came running to find me!

The police were great but even though I had a good description and we drove round for an hour hoping to identify them we had no luck.

It is really hard as when you feel responsible when pregnant for your unborn baby, to then be put in such a vulnerable position has given me a real sense of vulnerability and made me nervous about being out on my own now. MY husband walked me to the station this morning and I only take a black cab when dark and on my way home now as just need to feel safe for a few weeks.

I have got back to everyday life and even though my husband and family have been great I don't want them to worry and see how much it has affected me either!

I just hope I can protect my child when I cannot even protect myself!!

I would also like to say having spoken to a friend who works in the force, unfortunately the cliche women who get preyed on is those pregnant and on a mobile phone whilst walking.. Please please please to all women out there don't use a mobile phone whilst wlkaing along the street, we are easy prey whether pregnant or not.

I don;t want to sacred monger but easy to let things like this slip and would not want anyone to get caught in my position.

I just hope I can get over this now and hope the other woman gets better and confident again to deal with this.

If anyone has ever been in this position I would really appreciate someone to talk to about this and any advice on how to get over this. I know patience is key and talking is key so hopefully this is the right start!

All the best!

Ellie

Oh sweetheart {{hugs}} I don't really know what to say - have you had any counselling?

Oh I'm so sorry this has happenned to you

When I was 8 months pregnant with with my youngest daughter I had my wallet stolen, and it felt so awful. The hormones and the fact that it feels like someone has ruthlessly taken advantage of the fact you are pregnant and unable to run/defend yourself etcetera make it feel so much worse

Unfortunately, thieves often target pregnant women. Bastards

Sorry, you asked for advice:

it took me a while to get over it when it happened to me to be honest and it did affect me quite badly; but you need to get this into perspective: it CAN happen to anyone, it's not your fault, it won't happen again (because you'll be really wary and looking out for it), and you have SO MUCH to look forward to

vent now, get it out of your system (I remember how very angry I felt ), talk about it as much as you need to, and then out it behind you, in the past where it belongs
xxx

police offer victim support follow up.contact station to query.how harrowing.

You do feel so vulnerable when you're pregnant. Sorry that this has happened to you, it's horrible. Take heart from the fact that you've got the baby very very well protected in there in its safe bubble of fluid. Sazisi is right - it won't happen again and you need to concentrate on enjoying the rest of your pregnancy.

I would have a chat with your midwife as well and tell her, she is there to look after your emotional as well as your physical wellbeing.
But that is some very good advice from Sazisi

{{{{big hugs to you}}}}

Some people are such scum bags, I am so sorry this has happened to you, being pregnant and being a new mother is such a vunerable time.

Thanks everyone, been a week or so now and amazed at how much better I feel by just letting it go and talking to people and posting this message, it really does help to face things when going through things.

You are right though when you say that it won't happen again, will be much more careful now, just by not working alone at night when dark and just be ore alert of my surroundings.

Have lived in London for 20 years and never happened it is bad luck as well, wrong place, wrong time!

The weird feeling I have though now is knowing I am having a baby boy and knowing the boys who mugged me were only about 16. It makes you wonder what has happened in their lives to make them end up there!

What should everyone be doing to help makes sure their sons (and daughters and sure) stay out of that kind of trouble.

Thank you again to everyone, kind words have been a great help!

Ellie

Glad you're feeling better.