“I had some friends I was out with, it was a Friday night,” said Megan Fernandez.
Attorney Megan Fernandez spends most of her time consulting victims but on Friday night, she became one.
“A man actually pushed his body against mine, I was up against a wall, so now I was jammed up between him and this wall,” said Fernandez.
She says she had never seen the man before.
“He took one hand at first and put it kind of on my chest area to push me back, put his other hand inside of my shirt, then he got his other hand inside my shirt and grabbed both of my breasts,” said Fernandez who was horrified.
“I immediately put my knee up in a defensive move, I basically kneed him in the crotch,” said Fernandez.
Three other men rushed over to help but the suspect was already gone. Surveillance video from inside the bar on 1st Avenue North captured the assault.
“We’re horrified by this happening but its not surprising,” said Fernandez. She says she feels this kind of aggressive nature has become the norm. While for now police are calling this a simple battery, Fernandez says the violation feels much more serious.
“I think there’s a shame or embarrassment that comes from these sexually explicit crimes,” said Fernandez.
She now hopes police find the man soon before he hurts anyone else.
“I’m not ashamed, I’m not embarrassed, but this man should be,” said Fernandez.
We’ve posted the surveillance photos to our Facebook page. If you recognize the man, you're asked to contact St. Pete Police at (727) 893-7780.
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Fernandez has been inspired by the incident and is now offering free legal services to those who find themselves in a similar situation. If you are interested in her services contact her at this email Survivors@meganfernandezlaw.com.
