Worf's Aunt Masha from Babruysk: "Omg that's the story of my date-rape attempt from when I was 17. Was sitting on a park bench reading a book. An older man (28yo as he told me later) sat down next to me and asked what I was reading. I felt it would be impolite not to answer, so I said yes and we started talking." / Blueviewer

Worf's Aunt Masha from Babruysk@mashamasha.bsky.social·2026-09-27T18:34:27.173Z

Omg that's the story of my date-rape attempt from when I was 17. Was sitting on a park bench reading a book. An older man (28yo as he told me later) sat down next to me and asked what I was reading. I felt it would be impolite not to answer, so I said yes and we started talking.

Worf's Aunt Masha from Babruysk@mashamasha.bsky.social·2026-09-27T18:36:27.980Z #

He followed that up with a number of small asks ("wanna walk around the block - I live here in this building", "want to stop by an ice cream shop for a treat"), that each one, in itself, felt like it would be absurd to say no to it. Until I found myself in his bed. Ice cream shops served champagne

Worf's Aunt Masha from Babruysk@mashamasha.bsky.social·2026-09-27T18:38:05.978Z #

back then in St-Petersburg/Leningrad at the time, and he made sure to get me a glass in each of the 2-3 we stopped by. I was traumatized for life and didn't even walk through that park again for the next 3 years, and to him it was no big deal. (I ran into him there 3y later.)

Galina Esther Shubina, my coffee is my own@galsh.bsky.social·2026-09-28T18:58:00.343Z #

I am so sorry. I'd say that in my experience, Russia (USSR in my case) is still the most toxic place on all of these issues by a mile. My parents wouldn't let me walk home by myself from metro at 12-14y in what was considered a good area.

Island of Reil@islandofreil.northsky.social·2026-09-27T23:33:03.773Z #

I'm so sorry, Masha.

Some Random Susan@anysusan.bsky.social·2026-09-27T23:39:27.913Z #

💔 I’m so sorry. You did not deserve any of that.

Universal Healthcare@arthart.bsky.social·2026-09-27T20:14:20.460Z #

💖

Z.V. Anjali@zvanjali.bsky.social·2026-09-27T23:47:47.186Z #

Horrible! This is such textbook predation, the small asks taking advantage of your politeness, building up to a big imposition and eventually assault. He probably did it to others too.

Z.V. Anjali@zvanjali.bsky.social·2026-09-27T18:37:51.828Z #

Yikes, I'm sorry that happened to you. That's exactly the kind of thing I mean.

Worf's Aunt Masha from Babruysk@mashamasha.bsky.social·2026-09-27T18:39:58.979Z #

Thank you! I still think about him sometimes, wishing all the worst for him. ("He's 55 now, hope he's got ED." "He's 70 now, hope he didn't make it to 70.")