Woman jogging at night assaulted in Bluffton. Police searching for attacker
A woman was assaulted while on a run in a Bluffton neighborhood Tuesday night, according to police.
The Bluffton Police Department is still searching for the attacker.
The agency was called to the Cypress Ridge neighborhood subdivision at approximately 8:10 p.m., more than an hour after sunset, about the assault, said Capt. Joe Babkiewicz.
Bluffton police are increasing patrols in the area where the assault occurred and in surrounding areas.
The assault occurred at Blakers Boulevard and Oak Barrell Boulevard.
“The victim said she was jogging when she was grabbed from behind by an unknown male. After a brief struggle, the suspect fled towards the Cypress Ridge pool and the victim ran from the area,” according to a release from the department.
The woman sustained minor injuries, said Babkiewicz.
A description from police indicated the attacker was a young man, in his early to mid-20s.
On average, women experience more harassment and have more fear about running outside, according to a 2017 survey from Runner’s World called “Running While Female.”
Of the 2,500 women surveyed, more than half said they are “always, often, or sometimes” concerned they could be physically assaulted or receive unwanted physical contact while on a run outside.
This story was originally published October 21, 2020 at 2:44 PM.
