PLANTATION, Fla. – A woman with Autism-Asperger Syndrome spoke out Thursday after she says she was sexually assaulted at the Broward Mall in Plantation.
Now the woman is calling for more security at the mall, located at 8000 W. Broward Blvd., and she’s also taking legal action.
The woman, who is in her mid-30s, spoke to reporters Thursday during a press conference at the Haggard Law Firm in Fort Lauderdale, where the lawsuit was announced against the Broward Mall, the company that runs it, as well as the security company that is hired there, claiming they did not do enough to keep the victim and other mall patrons safe.
The alleged sexual assault was reported in the early afternoon of May 14, 2022.
According to her attorneys, the victim had completed volunteering for an autism and related disorders event at the Broward Mall when she stopped by the food court while waiting for her ride home.
While at the food court, the suspect, Terrance Lewis Style, struck up a conversation with her and persuaded her to give him her cellphone number, her attorneys said.
According to the attorneys, the victim told Style about her disability and told him that he needed to leave.
But the woman’s attorneys said Style instead took her through a back corridor to a family bathroom and instructed her not to yell.
He then locked the door and sexually battered the victim despite her begging him to stop, the victim’s attorneys alleged.
After fleeing the scene, Plantation police said they were able to track Style down and arrest him. Has found with multiple weapons and cash in his possession.
Both the victim and the attorneys representing her say the mall did not do enough to keep her safe.
“I am still traumatized about what happened. I will not be silent or silenced,” the victim told reporters Thursday. “I will give my voice to those who are not treated fairly or equally and those with autism spectrum disorders who are victims of sexual crimes.”
The victim’s attorneys say the mall has had ongoing events since the alleged assault occurred, but have not hired any additional security, which they believe would have made all the difference in this case.
Style is currently out on bond awaiting trial.