Woman Fights Back Against Intruder, Raises Awareness on Stalking

Leigh Collins, a resident of Santa Monica, faced a terrifying invasion when she discovered an intruder in her home armed with a kitchen knife. The incident occurred at 03:00 when Collins was awakened by her barking dogs. Initially, she assumed it was her ex-boyfriend, who had a key to her apartment. However, the shocking reality of the situation quickly unfolded as she encountered a man lurking in her home.

Collins described seeing a dark figure in her hallway, which led her to investigate her apartment. Despite checking several rooms and finding nothing, she was unprepared for the moment she would confront Rashad Devon Harris, who was pressed against the wall with a knife. In a harrowing account shared on the From Now On podcast, Collins recounted the instinctual decisions she made during the attack.

When Harris confronted her, demanding money, Collins lied about having a boyfriend who might return home soon. This moment of deception was critical, as it gave her an opportunity to buy time. Eventually, Harris took her to her bedroom, where she realized he was not there for a robbery but for something far more sinister.

After handing over the cash, Harris began to sexually assault Collins. In that moment of fear, she experienced what she described as a flash of her future, motivating her to fight for her life. When he relaxed his grip, she seized the opportunity to scream for help. The struggle escalated as he attacked her physically, but Collins fought back fiercely, managing to kick him off and ultimately driving him from her home.

Following the incident, Collins contacted the police, who arrested Harris three days later. Authorities confirmed that he had been stalking her for years. In a court ruling in March 2023, Harris was sentenced to life in prison. Collins has since made a full recovery and is using her experience to advocate for other victims of stalking and sexual assault.

In her advocacy, Collins emphasizes the importance of trusting one’s intuition. She highlighted how Harris did not fit the typical profile of a criminal. “He was good-looking, had a girlfriend, and a respectable job,” she noted. “He was hiding in plain sight.” This insight is crucial, as it challenges common stereotypes about perpetrators of such crimes.

Statistics reveal a stark reality regarding sexual assault in the UK, where approximately 669,000 adults are sexually assaulted annually, according to Safeline. The organization reports that 1 in 5 women and 1 in 6 men in the UK have experienced sexual abuse. These figures underscore the pervasive nature of the issue and the need for greater awareness and education.

In a recent message, Collins urged women to pay attention to their instincts. “If you get a feeling like that from someone, that chill up and down your spine, pay attention to that,” she advised. Her story serves as a powerful reminder that danger can lurk in unexpected places, and that vigilance and awareness are crucial in potentially dangerous situations.

As she continues to share her experience, Collins hopes to empower others to recognize warning signs and trust their instincts. Her journey from victim to advocate showcases not only her resilience but also the importance of community support in addressing the issue of stalking and sexual assault.