Thanks Mitch for reading and follow up question—
While I feel the details of: where we are, time of day, who we are with all help play out how to respond—

I truly feel, that because I didn’t outwardly, expressively lash out, he didn’t feel the need to defend then use aggression to hold me back.

I’ve wondered deep down how do power-control trips work in these situations. But I’m much too keen many can respond to this and say: I tried xyz and it still didn’t hold my perpetrators back from their offensive.

I think the biggest take away I still see is avoid being alone in any situation where we sense it’s unsafe. Granted, I’m still one of the most independent women who hates to be told, don’t go or do xyz followed by a rant of fears.

I never have wanted to be controlled by fear. But there’s a healthy amount to have: and that’s what I lacked and had to learn the hard way.

I don’t have a great concrete answer—but being mindful of time and place and making wiser choices of where to carry oneself if we are alone.

You can tell I don’t have a daughter—otherwise I would have had an arsenal of ideas!!🤪😂

Do you??