Fear and frenzy on TikTok after women punched in New York City: ‘I don’t want my account to be exploited’

Traumatic attacks tap into a common fear in the city, but they remain unusual. That hasn't stopped them from being politicized

Sarah Harvard was doing everything right as she walked home through the Lower East Side one night earlier this month: she paid attention to her surroundings and didn't get too close to anyone; she wasn't listening to music or looking at her phone.

None of that protected her from the man who came up behind her and punched her in the back of the skull.