“Why I shared pictures of my assault online”

Reegan Kay claims she was assaulted by a man while heading back to her Bristol university lodgings in November following a night out with friends. She was struck unconscious after her front tooth was knocked out.

“It’s part of our everyday existence,” the 21-year-old tells Radio 1 Newsbeat.

Reegan posted the details including photos of her injuries on Twitter.

She said she was spat at, had her clothes pulled, and was hit in the face by a man who assaulted her “for saying no.”

“It happens a lot more than people understand or realise. I felt like if I said something [publicly], that would encourage other people when something similar happens, to share their experiences.”

Reegan hopes by sharing, it will keep the discussion around women’s safety going.

“I don’t think people who don’t experience it should just be able to get on with their lives and not have to think about it.”

“If things are going to change, everyone has to be thinking about it consciously, all the time.”

Related Article: The Fear Of Walking Alone

Reegan has reported what happened to the police.

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police told Newsbeat “violence, abuse, and intimidation against women and girls in any form is not acceptable and will simply not be tolerated”.

He said police were currently reviewing CCTV from the area around the time of the incident.

“Women and girls should be free to live without fear of abuse and harassment and we are committed to protecting, supporting and empowering victims so that together we can end male violence against them.”

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