New Zealand Woman’s Shocking Encounter in Sri Lanka Sparks Debate
A New Zealand woman has shared a disturbing incident during her recent solo trip to Sri Lanka, highlighting the challenges women face when traveling alone. Molly, known online as molsgonewild, took to Instagram to recount her experience after a local man exposed himself to her and made an inappropriate request.
In a video that has garnered significant attention, Molly describes how she was approached by a man while traveling in a tuk-tuk. Initially, he seemed harmless, but the situation escalated quickly. “Have sex?” he asked, to which Molly firmly replied, “Definitely not, no.” The man then exposed himself while repeatedly pleading with her. Shocked and overwhelmed, she drove away, questioning the encounter.
Molly later spoke to news.com.au, describing her reaction as one of disbelief. “He approached me and he seemed nice enough, just like every other Sri Lankan I had encountered,” she explained. Despite her extensive travel experience, including instances of sexual harassment in her home country, she emphasized that such incidents are not confined to foreign locales.
“I’ve been sexually harassed in New Zealand,” she noted, underlining that the fear of harassment can occur anywhere. Molly highlighted the precautions she takes while traveling, stating, “I exercise extra caution while traveling as a woman. I think you’d be an idiot not to.” She carries a pocket knife and remains vigilant about her surroundings.
The incident sparked a broader conversation about the realities of solo travel for women. In subsequent videos, Molly addressed the victim-blaming comments she received online. “There was a lot of victim blaming, a lot of people saying ‘that’s what you get’ for solo traveling as a female,” she said. She asserted that women should be able to travel alone without fear, stating, “[It’s] the men who don’t know how to behave correctly.”
Following the incident, Molly filed a report with the Tourism Police Department in Sri Lanka. Remarkably, they responded within 24 hours, and within five days, they arrested the man involved. He is now facing legal proceedings related to the incident.
Despite this unsettling experience, Molly remains optimistic about solo travel. She reassured her followers that her encounter does not define her travels. “I’ve been to so many countries that people label as unsafe and all I have experienced is kindness from locals,” she stated.
Molly’s story has resonated with many, prompting discussions around safety and the treatment of women travelers worldwide. Her experience serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing challenges women face in ensuring their safety while exploring the world.
