Activist Reports Unwanted Touching During Hitchhiking Trip Near Mostar

Alice Chapman, an activist recognized for her involvement in the Gaza flotilla, has detailed a distressing encounter she experienced while hitchhiking near Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Chapman, who uses social media to advocate for women's rights, described the incident on Instagram, stating that a driver touched her inappropriately and against her will after she accepted a ride.

The activist managed to exit the vehicle and subsequently shared a video of the encounter on social media. The footage, which was later removed from the platform, reportedly showed the driver's unwelcome advances. Chapman recounted that the driver suggested he had a right to behave that way because he had given her a ride, a sentiment she strongly refuted.

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This is not a question of hitchhiking, but of men who believe they have a right to women's bodies.

Chapman explained her decision to share the sensitive video, despite her initial fear and subsequent feeling of lost dignity when it was removed. She aimed to highlight the pervasive issue of violence against women and misogyny, particularly in situations where victims lack concrete evidence. "One of the biggest problems in trying to explain misogynistic violence to those who deny it is that there is often little or no evidence," Chapman stated, emphasizing that her video provided undeniable proof.

While acknowledging that hitchhiking carries inherent risks, Chapman insisted that her experience transcended the act of hitchhiking. "This is not a question of hitchhiking, but of men who believe they have a right to women's bodies," she asserted. She shared the experience, with her consent, to encourage men to support women, discuss women's rights, and to empower other women to live their lives without fear.

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One of the biggest problems in trying to explain misogynistic violence to those who deny it is that there is often little or no evidence. I had solid, irrefutable evidence, which is rare, and I think that's what shocked many.