A young woman police say was sexually assaulted by a Halifax taxi driver last weekend is speaking out after the alleged attack, vowing to never take a cab alone again.
*Warning: This story contains details that may be disturbing to some readers.*
The woman told CTV News that she was out drinking with friends last Friday, when her friends put her into a cab. CTV News is required by law to protect her identity.
She said she can't recall what happened after she got into the cab.
"I don't remember anything," she said.
She later woke up in a Halifax hospital, where police told her of the alleged assault. She said she was stunned. "I think I was in shock, just in shock," she said, explaining that she's still not ready to hear the details of what police say happened to her.
"I asked not to have any information so far, so I don't know. I don’t know anything," she said.
Halifax police said an officer was looking for another taxi driver believed to have been involved in a string of robberies when the officer came across another cab.
"Upon closer examination, the officer observed suspicious activity inside the vehicle that led her to investigate further," Const. Pierre Bourdages said.
Police later determined that the driver had sexually assaulted the 26-year-old passenger.
The victim said that, while women have the right to have fun safely, she'll never take a taxi alone again.
"As much as we want to feel like we can do what we want late at night, especially as women, there are certain things in this day and age that you just can't do safely anymore," she said.
She's warning other women to always ride home with friends. "Just buddy up, and make sure that you're not taking a taxi alone," she said.
Bassam Aladin Al-Rawi has been charged with sexual assault. He is scheduled to appear in court in July.
With a report from CTV Atlantic's Kayla Hounsell
