How would you react if a random stranger comes up to you and demanded to have sexual intercourse with you?
Yesterday (Thursday, 20th April), Joe DeMarini was sexually assaulted by a drunk man while boarding the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) in Singapore. The elderly man, believed to be a Singaporean, insisted to have sex with him because he was “signalled”.
In a lengthy Facebook post, DeMarini detailed his disturbing experience, saying, “Just a heads up, this guy physically assaulted me on the MRT, so if you ever see him, be on your guard. I was with a friend and he approached me–drunk–and said he was gay, and that he wanted to f**k me. He said, ‘I know you’re gay, so let’s f**k’.”
When DeMarini’s female friend tried to intervene, the older man lashed out at her before insisting, “No no no, she’s not your friend, I’m your friend. I want you to f**k me tonight.” Things took a turn for the worse when the uncle got angry and slapped DeMarini across the head.
During that scary episode, 2 bystanders – a Caucasian woman and another man – stepped in to intervene by putting some distance between DeMarini and the bald head man.
You can watch the incident here:
DeMarini shared that he and his friend managed to get off the MRT without any further interference from the uncle. “When my friend and I got off at our stop, he got off as well, but we managed to evade him and leave the station without him following us,” he wrote.
This unsettling occurrence has no doubt left DeMarini shaken. “I wish I’d sat in a different train car, and the whole situation could’ve been avoided. Was it the V-neck I was wearing? My ripped skinny jeans? I probably should have held my temper, but that’s not my character,” he added.
For those that questioned him on why he didn’t defend himself or report to the authorities, DeMarini replied, “I am a white immigrant in a country where I do not have citizenship and am a minority–law enforcement may not take my side, despite video and photo evidence.”
DeMarini’s video has been viewed over 950,000 times and approximately 16,000 shares. Many netizens have expressed their sympathy and concern for him.
If you ever find yourself in a similar situation as DeMarini, don’t be afraid to cause a scene and seek help from those around you.
UPDATE (23th April, 2:25pm):
The 70-year-old man, who not only harassed but also slapped Joe DeMarini after making sexual advances, has been arrested.
According to Channel News Asia, the elderly man was arrested Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 on Friday night (21st April) at approximately 10pm. If found guilty, he can be fine up to S$5000 (RM15,755) or face up to 2 years in jail for causing voluntary hurt.
Source: Joe DeMarini’s Facebook, Channel News Asia.
