***Trigger warning: Sexual harassment, attempted rape
John Florendo, the father of Cianne Dominguez, one of It's Showtime's hosts, took to social media to expose the alleged attempted rape incident on his daughter that occurred on April 11, 2024.
READ MORE: When Is It Considered Rape? Supreme Court Rules No Penetration Needed
It's Showtime Host Cianne Dominguez Left Traumatized After Alleged Attempted Rape Incident
"Tonight, my family were [sic] bothered to what to my daughter Cianne Dominguez. She was attemptedly raped by this guy Shervey S. Torno," he wrote, adding that the alleged suspect is a "gay bar dancer and performer."
According to him, the suspect followed Cianne to her condo unit, forcibly preventing the door from closing, and held her waist as he forced her to kiss him. However, Cianne was able to overpower the suspect and was able to take video footage of him as he tried to escape.
John noted that the suspect is now under the custody of the QC Police District 10 and is "facing serious charges," likely Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) and trespassing.
He then asked his followers to pray for his daughter as she was left traumatized by the said incident.
In PEP.ph's exclusive interview with Cianne's father, John said that Cianne did not know the suspect personally. "Sinabayan siya sa elevator, nagpakilalang fan at sinabing dun din siya nakatira sa 11th floor," he revealed.
"Then, paglabas ni Cianne sa eighth floor, sinundan siya. At nung papasok na ang anak ko sa unit niya at isasarado niya ang pinto, pinigil siya ni Torno na pilit na papasok sa unit.
"Hinawakan niya si Cianne sa beywang at akmang hahalikan. Mabuti, malakas ang anak ko at nagpumiglas.
"Sumigaw siya at dun na tumakbong patakas ang suspect na nakuhanan ng video ng anak ko," he narrated.
John also shared that Cianne is currently being comforted by her family and friends after such a traumatizing incident, adding that his daughter is "a strong person."
Cianne was a contestant of It's Showtime's "Sexy Babe" segment before coming on board as one of the noontime show's mainstay hosts. As of this writing, she has yet release an official statement about the incident.
How can you keep yourself safe from stalkers?
While there's nothing wrong with being friendly with people on social media or IRL, it's always important to be on your guard, especially if it's someone you're not familiar with. Or if you're in a new location, it helps to be mindful of your surroundings. Remember that it's *never* your fault if someone is stalking you or wants to harm you, but it's always better to be prepared.
Here are some precautions you can take to minimize the risk of being stalked:
Resist oversharing or posting in real time
A stalker considers your social media a goldmine of info, especially if you constantly post about your whereabouts. Make sure to keep your posts visible to your trusted friends, or, at the very least, never post about your current whereabouts while you're still in the area.
Create strong passwords
If it's been a while since you last updated your passwords, this is your reminder to do so RN!
Hide your IP address
Your IP address is your unique identifier that is linked to a lot of sensitive info like your credit card deets or online bills. You can invest in a VPN (Virtual Private Network) app that lets you hide your devices' origins and encrypts your internet activity for added security.
Tell someone you trust your whereabouts
When you're traveling alone or living solo, it helps when your parents, a BFF, or anyone with authority knows your whereabouts. In case of emergency, they'll know your location and can send ASAP.
