A New Zealand influencer has recounted a shocking experience during her solo travels in Sri Lanka that has resonated widely on social media. Molly, who is known as molsgonewild online, detailed an unsettling encounter with a local man while she was on a tuk-tuk road trip across the country.
In a viral video shared over the weekend, Molly described how a seemingly innocuous interaction quickly escalated. “During my solo tuk-tuk road trip across Sri Lanka, a man asked for sex and exposed himself to me,” she told her followers on Instagram. Her candid admission highlights the challenges many women face when traveling alone.
The disturbing clip shows Molly in her vehicle when a man approaches her and poses an inappropriate question: “Have sex?” She firmly declined, responding, “Definitely not, no.” The situation took a turn for the worse when the man exposed himself while repeatedly asking, “please?” Molly’s reaction was immediate as she drove away, reflecting on the incident with disbelief.
In a follow-up interview with news.com.au, she described her emotional state during the encounter. “I was in shock and unable to process what was really happening,” she said. Despite the unexpected nature of the incident, Molly emphasized that such experiences are not unique to foreign countries. “I’ve been sexually harassed in New Zealand. It’s not a fear that is limited to just traveling. It can happen at home and in any country you go to.”
Molly’s experience speaks to a broader issue of safety for women travelers. She shared the precautions she takes to ensure her safety, stating, “I exercise extra caution while traveling as a woman. I think you’d be an idiot not to.” She carries a pocket knife and remains vigilant about her surroundings, acknowledging the need for constant awareness.
In response to her video, Molly faced victim-blaming comments, with some suggesting she had “no survival skills” for traveling alone as a woman. “Women should be able to solo travel; we are not the problem,” she asserted. “It’s the men who don’t know how to behave correctly.”
Following the incident, Molly reported the man’s behavior to the Tourism Police Department, who acted promptly. According to her, they began searching for the man within 24 hours and arrested him within five days. He is now facing legal proceedings.
Despite the traumatic experience, Molly remains optimistic about solo travel. She encouraged her followers by stating that her journey does not define the entirety of women’s travel experiences. “I’ve been to so many countries that people label as unsafe, and all I have experienced is kindness from locals,” she concluded, reinforcing the idea that while risks exist, they do not overshadow the positive encounters that many travelers have.
Molly’s story serves as a crucial reminder of the realities of female solo travel, raising awareness about the importance of safety while also celebrating the positive aspects of exploring the world.
