Alleged Incident of Sexual Assault Involving "Let's Dance" Actor Bendixen
Ann-Kathrin Bendixen, known as "Affe auf Bike" from the dance show "Let's Dance," shares her experience with sexual harassment as a solo traveler. The 25-year-old has gained fame through her travel blog and social media platforms documenting her motorbike adventures worldwide.
Bendixen met Gabriel Kelly, last year's winner of "Let's Dance," on the show. Now they co-host the podcast "Schnack auf Achse" on RTL, discussing the dangers and challenges of their motorbike journeys. Bendixen states that everything a woman could experience while traveling alone, has happened to her.
In her early days of travel blogging, she encountered a harrowing incident involving sexual harassment. Despite her instincts warning her, she agreed to enter a camper with two men. One of them suddenly began rubbing himself inappropriately against her. Bendixen reacted by kicking him and resisting. Her assailant's companion then suggested releasing her to prevent further escalation and offered her money, making her feel like a prostitute.
Since then, Bendixen has taken precautions during her solo travels to ensure her safety. She has adapted her gear to includes protective items, such as bear spray for wildlife encounters in Canada or Alaska, and a knife to safeguard herself against potential human attacks.
In addition to the risks faced while traveling alone, Bendixen also experiences sexual harassment on social media. She receives unsolicited and inappropriate messages. Men have suggested that refusing unwanted advances qualifies as sexual harassment and questioned her complaints about minor physical contact.
By openly discussing her experiences, Bendixen aims to encourage other victims to share their own stories. She believes that every woman has at least one such encounter that goes unspoken.
Experienced travel bloggers and safety advocates suggest several strategies for women traveling alone, including staying alert, choosing reputable accommodations, communicating travel plans, using licensed transportation, setting boundaries, and carrying personal safety devices. Although specific advice from Bendixen is not available, these precautions are widely recommended.
I'm not going to be able to handle the constant barrage of sexual harassment from both real-life adventures and online platforms while traveling alone. Even celebrities like Ann-Kathrin Bendixen, known for her motorbike travels and appearance on "Let's Dance," faces such challenges in the general news realm, including crime-and-justice issues, as well as entertainment-related harassment on social media.
