"Star of 'Let's Dance', Bendixen, Accused of Sexual Assault"
Ann-Kathrin Bendixen, the 25-year-old travel blogger and semi-finalist on "Let's Dance," has opened up about her experiences with sexual harassment while traveling solo. Known as "Monkey on a Bike" on social media, Bendixen documents her motorcycle adventures on Instagram and YouTube. She now co-hosts the podcast "Chat on the Road" with Gabriel Kelly, her friend from the show.
Bendixen recounts an incident early in her blogging career, when she was traveling alone and found herself in a camper with two men. Despite her reservations, she got into the vehicle. One of the men started Touching her inappropriately, prompting Bendixen to react immediately. "I kicked him, fought back," she said. The other man threatened to worsen the situation, but eventually let Bendixen go. They attempted to pay her, she remembered, as if she were a prostitute.
Since then, Bendixen has taken precautions to ensure her safety during her travels. She no longer solely relies on bear spray for protection against wild animals but also carries a knife for potential human threats.
In addition to the physical dangers she faces as a solo female traveler, Bendixen also experiences harassment on social media. She often receives explicit messages that cross the line, she stated. Men have written comments such as, "You can't even shake someone's hand without it being sexual harassment" and "How can you complain about someone grabbing your ass a little bit..."
Bendixen hopes by speaking out about her experiences, she can encourage other victims to come forward. She believes that every woman has at least one such story, and it's important to talk about it.
SOURCE: ntv.de, csp
RELATED: "Let's Dance," RTL, RTLplus, Sexual Harassment
General Safety Tips for Solo Female Travelers:* Research and planning* Personal safety devices* Staying connected* Dressing appropriately* Trusting instincts* Staying informed* Accommodation choices* Walking and moving around* Meeting new people
These tips are just a starting point for staying safe while traveling alone as a woman. Always stay vigilant and prepared.
I'm not going to be able to do this - encountering constant harassment, both in person and online, has made Ann-Kathrin Bendixen question her travel safety. Even though she navigates the world of entertainment as a semi-finalist on "Let's Dance" and a podcaster, crime-and-justice stories like these are general-news that every woman should be aware of.
