Travel

Don't cry "rape" when you pass through one of the TSA's full-body scanners, because actual airport rape does happen, and it's not something to be taken lightly. In the early morning hours yesterday, a 26-yr-old man was arrested at Denver International Airport after sexually assaulting a 22-yr-old woman who was staying in the airport through the night after missing her connection.

The two allegedly began chatting at a bistro within the airport, but when the girl excused herself, the man followed then assaulted her. It was only when two of the airport employees outside saw the assault through the windows that 911 was called and the man arrested by airport security.

This crime should immediately cause a siren to go off in the heads of solo travelers who find themselves hanging out in airports, especially after hours. Being past TSA security on the "airside" end of an airport doesn't automatically guarantee safety, and in such a place of transience, it's best to reflect on the "don't talk to strangers" lesson you learned in kindergarten.