Former Arizona Sen. Martha McSally stated that she was sexually assaulted Wednesday during a run in Iowa near the Nebraska border.
McSally shared the details during an Instagram video that claimed the man "engulfed" her and that she fought him off.
Former Arizona Sen Martha McSally says she was sexually assaulted while on run in Iowa https://t.co/7d5pxlheNj #FoxNews
— Bo Snerdley (@BoSnerdley) November 10, 2023
"She said she was running along the river when a man came from behind her and 'engulfed me.' She noted that she was slated to speak in Omaha, Nebraska, about 'courage and heart, and how to be a brave heart,'" Fox News reported.
"And I just had it put to the test," she said. "A man came up behind me, and he engulfed me in a bear hug, and he molested and fondled me until I fought him off."
Former AZ Sen. Martha McSally sexually assaulted while jogging in Iowa https://t.co/c1uM92szIo pic.twitter.com/D5FaWrfrXj
— New York Post (@nypost) November 10, 2023
"The assault occurred around 10:53 a.m. at Haffan River’s Edge Park on a service road near the I-480 underpass, according to Council Bluffs Police," the New York Post reported.
"When police arrived, they were unable to locate the suspect, who fled. He was described as a 'stocky' male between the ages of 25 and 40," it continued.
The attack was not McSally's first brush with sexual assault. She revealed that she was raped by a superior officer during her time in the Air Force years ago.
McSally served in the Arizona House from 2014 to 2020. She also previously lost in a Senate run against then-Democrat Kyrsten Sinema in 2018.
The attack has led to a renewed focus on safety for women against sexual assault and the need for self-defense.
McSally is speaking out, doing her part to empower others to stand strong and do more to protect themselves against threats.
