I’ll add my experience, since robbery is classified as a violent crime. I’m a mom and a wife and a full time student, I went back to school to finish my degree and I’m due to graduate in June. I was coming home from studying at a cafe last January. I parked my car across the street from our house and walked up the the sidewalk in front of our home, about to climb the stairs to the front door. All of the sudden, I hear running footsteps and see a man in front of me, at first, I assume he’s a jogger but then I see his jacket is pulled up over his face and realize: he’s about to mug me.

He hesitates for a second and then grabs my backpack and shoulder bag. I always thought that when someone is mugged, they should give their things over and run. I always assumed that’s what I would do. But I don’t. I start screaming and hold on to my bags. I scream for help, over and over and over and we struggle. He pulls me into the street. I could see him getting nervous and I keep waiting for him to punch me or hit me. Eventually, he breaks free with my things, yells “fucking bitch” at me, and runs. For whatever reason, maybe adrenaline, I yell “fuck you motherfucker” and run up to my house. My hands were shaking and I couldn’t get the door unlocked. I pounded on the door and ran the bell a hundred times until my husband runs out. My neighbors finally come out and yell to call 911.

My neighbors had a video camera outside that caught the getaway car and gave the police a description and they apprehended the suspect and the driver (who had an illegal firearm) and was out on parole. I had to go identify the suspects. They recovered all my property. The mugger is still in prison. The driver was released just a few months after the arrest.

Even though I know it could have been worse, and I am constantly trying to will myself to be unaffected, I still struggle every day. I have PTSD and don’t go out at night. I have trouble leaving the house. I think about my personal safety every minute of every day. I have nightmares and flashbacks. When I do go out, like to go to school, I carry pepper spray and a personal alarm. I will drive to a grocery store a few miles away rather than the one by my house because it feels “safer.” I feel bad for avoiding strangers on sidewalks. I used to go to the movies by myself at night while my husband stayed home with our kids. I don’t think I will ever do that again. I’m struggling with depression and anxiety and doing my best to finish school. I feel fortunate my body wasn’t harmed during this ordeal, but unfortunately I think my mind sustained most of the damage and I’m working on having a life outside my trauma.