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From Victim to Advocate: Anna Geratelli’s Journey Toward Safer Self-Defense
In April 2020, journalist Anna Geratelli faced a terrifying experience while living in Washington, D.C. On what seemed like an ordinary morning, she was attacked and sexually assaulted outside her apartment. Her screams drew others to intervene, ultimately saving her from further harm.
As both a reporter and a victim, Anna began looking deeper into D.C.’s violent crime statistics. What she found was startling. The city’s crime map at the time only displayed certain “first-degree” crimes, leaving assaults like hers unmarked and effectively invisible. Despite her attacker going to prison, her case never appeared on the map. “If something that severe doesn’t count, how many other women are erased from the data?” she asked.
The experience changed her perspective on safety. When she later moved to Texas, Anna bought a firearm but quickly realized she wasn’t comfortable carrying or potentially using it. That left her searching for an alternative.
That search led her to discover Byrna. After sharing her story online, someone suggested the non-lethal option. For Anna, it was a revelation: a tool that offered real protection without forcing her into the life-or-death decision of pulling a trigger.
Now, Anna is sharing her story not only as a journalist but as an advocate for awareness, transparency, and empowering people — especially women — with more choices for self-defense.
Watch the full podcast here: Byrna Bros Podcast Full Episode: Anna Giaritelli
