08/05/2011
Five lesbians were verbally and physically harassed on the 3100 block of 14th Street NW in Washington D.C by two men on July 30th. The group made up of 5 black women were harassed after the assailants (after failing at flirting with two of the women) became enraged at the group and began to verbally and physically abuse the group.
The Washington Blade included excerpts from DC’s Gay & Lesbian Unit report:
“Suspect 1 became enraged and stated, “You fucking dyke bitches, I will kick that bitch’s ass,” the report says. “I will take that dyke bitch into the alley and kick her ass,” the report quotes suspect 1 as saying.
According to the two women who spoke to the Blade, the suspect was referring to Morse, who is the girlfriend of one of the two women that the two suspects approached. Morse said she walked over to the men to find out what was going on.
The police report, which lists Morse as Complainant 1, says suspect 1 punched her in the left eye. “Complainant 1 staggered back and Suspect 1 punched C-1 twice more with a closed fist. It says that when the other women tried to assist C-1, they were hit by both suspects.
The suspects punched each of the women in the head and face, the report says.
A third man filmed the altercation with his cellphone as the group tried their best to defend themselves. Soon after, police arrived on the scene, where the officers refused to write a report on the incident, even after the women specifically requested it.
Yazzmen Morse, who received a black eye and swollen face from the assault discussed with the Blade the lack of compassion the police officers gave to the group.
“The police grabbed one of the attackers and restrained him. Then they let him go. And then they said they didn’t want to hear our stories.”
Another victim, who asked not to be identified expanded further on the officers’ treatment.
“They were telling us if you guys don’t calm down we’re going to lock you guys up. One officer said I’m not talking to you because you guys don’t know how to act.
And yes, we were panicking. Yes, we were crying. Yes, we were going off. But the fact is these men had just hit us.”
A report was filed three days later, only after one of the victims mothers called the department to complain about the officers neglect over her daughters attack.
This comes after the two recent attacks on two transgendered women (leaving one murdered) in DC.
Although, we aren’t sure if the victims race had anything to do with the lack of care regarding the report of their attack, one thing is for sure – DC really needs to get their act together.
