Brave teen becomes her own hero as she defends herself against predator

“I kneed him in the groin and ran home as fast as I could!”

This is how Sarah van der Want (16) escaped the clutches of a man who attempted to ‘harm me’ recently.

She had learnt this technique from her mother Lisa, after she was groped in a bathroom at an ice rink in 2021, which left her badly shaken. “Fight or flight is a real thing; sometimes you have to do both to look after yourself.”

This time she was walking home from the shops in Westdene when she noticed a man, perhaps in his 30s, following her. Unsure if her feelings of unease were justified or not, she crossed the street. So did her predator.

“That was really scary, and I knew then I was not being paranoid.”

He quickly caught up with her and began trying to start a conversation. I was walking fast now and so was he. “I think you are really pretty and his hand moved to grab me by my waist.

“I can still feel exactly where his hand was,” as she demonstrates the place on her hip and has a flashback to the moment.

She turned around, kneed him in the groin as hard as she could, and ran away. “I looked back to see if he was coming after me but I managed to escape after he bolted in the opposite direction.”

When she arrived at her house she ran straight to her bedroom, where her mother and sister immediately followed. She told them what had happened, although describes her mind in that moment as ‘blurry’.

“I didn’t get much sleep that night – even after I took something for my anxiety. I am still struggling; it was really, really scary”

“I am still very traumatised by it – even though I have spoken to a counsellor which my mum arranged, and another one at my school, but it will take time to be at peace again.”

She describes herself as being fairly street smart and aware of her surroundings when she walks around the neighbourhood in which she has always felt so safe.

“If your instincts tell you something is off or someone is making you uncomfortable, listen to that and get out of there. You don’t have to be polite to everyone if you feel unsafe.

“I have no idea if it would not be worse than his hand on my hip or maybe it was building up to being dragged into a field for worse. It’s not something to take a chance on as really bad things do happen.”

When asked why she and her mother felt it was important to be so public about the attack, she said, “If one person can benefit from my experience and teach themselves or their children how to react if they feel unsafe then it is worth it. If one girl can be taught about trying to be a bit more aware of their surroundings then that feels good.”

Zanele Dumane, a friend of the family said, “Conversations can change narratives. Informed conversations can change lives,” an apt comment when discussing the importance of sharing experiences so others may learn and be informed.

“I did not get enough of a look at him to be able to give a description to the police, but I think he was in his 30s or 40s.”

Sophiatown Police Station spokesperson Captain TJ de Bruyn said the following when asked about safety tips when walking around.

• If possible, never walk alone
• Avoid dark and isolated streets
• Don’t walk at night if possible
• Always be aware of your surroundings – see if anyone is following you
• Keep an eye out for suspicious-looking people who seem to be roaming the streets
• If possible, enrol in a self-defense class or go online and see what tips and moves you can learn
• Scream as loudly as you can if you are in danger to alert others that you need help
• If you feel unsure, go to the nearest garage, shop, or place where there are others and ask them to call the police, or wait until the threat has gone.

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