Remember in past
articles we talk about how women should not be walking around Cuenca alone? This is the second attack on a woman in Cuenca in the past two weeks, that we've heard of who
happened to be walking alone. The first attack was an Ecuadorian woman who was
assaulted by four men with a knife who cut up her face, badly marring her.
This second attack
happened just a few days ago, at 10am, on a popular walking / jogging trail that
we frequently walk on as a family, near the Mall Del Rio. Here is one of our
videos walking along this trail where the attack occurred.
It is in an area
of nice homes, family restaurants and shops. When you look at your surroundings
you think, “Oh, well this looks like a nice area for me to walk by myself”,
nothing will happen to me”? But stuff happens here in Cuenca and women alone are
frequently the targets of robbery and crime. We talk extensively about crime
and how to protect yourself i.e. avoid trouble, in the
DIYCuencaLandingGuide.
We know people
that jog this trail along the Yanuncay River and know exactly where this spot
is where the woman was attacked. They say that every day between 7am and 8am
there are about 30 expats taking yoga classes in a grassy area by the river.
We’re telling you this to let you know that, just because it looks like a nice
area and there are people around, does not mean nothing is going to happen.
We have been told
by locals on numerous occasions to watch ourselves along the river trails,
especially at night, and here’s why. The article mentions the noise of the
river, but not only that, but the river bank has hiding spots behind trees and
big rocks, below the embankment and under the overpasses and bridges that line
the trails. It is VERY easy for a bad guy to attack you from behind and rob
you…and they usually have knives.
North Americans
are culturally possessed to think of a river area as a desirable location, but
here in Ecuador, it's where the crime statistics seem to emanate
from. Luckily the woman
survived the attack. Here’s the post from Latin American News.
U.S expatriate
female attacked by three men, stabbed
Posted on July 17, 2012 • Filed
under: Crime, Ecuador, TRAVEL Source: Latin America News
On July 16th,
2012, a female U.S. expatriate living in Cuenca, Ecuador was attacked and
stabbed by three men. According to the report taken from a social network the
female was walking on the outer path of the Yanuncay River on Primero de Mayo in
Cuenca when she was assaulted. She fought against the attackers when she was
stabbed. The victim was treated and required more than ten stitches at the St.
Inez medical facility.
The post indicated
while this area is beautiful and inviting that the outer path which is along the
river can attract criminals in part due to the noise of the river. The inner
path closest to Primero de Mayo may be a better choice for a
walk.
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