ROME - Police investigations are underway in Florence to determine the identity of a man who has allegedly raped an 18-year-old American exchange student in the streets (source: Florence Police Force). 

 The young woman met the man between last Thursday night and Friday morning when she was out in a local bar. She told the police that he convinced her to let him escort her home, claiming that it would not be safe for her to do so alone. 

 When the 18-year-old was rescued by ambulance services, she was reportedly too in shock to describe accurately the offender. All she could recall was that he led her out the bar, and then at some point during the walk stripped off and violated her. 

 But this is certainly not an isolated incident. According to Il Fatto Quotidiano, last year another American exchange student reported being raped in the historic centre of Florence, and the police have declared that they have more cases on file and under investigation. 

 As local authorities scour CCTV footage and look for any clues to this man's identity, it only becomes more apparent the tragically unsafe nature of metropolitan streets for young women. 

 dabj