Pregnant Woman Objects to Belly Rubbing, Files Complaint

A 30-year-old pregnant woman named Michelle Troutman in Frankfort, Pennsylvania, has lodged a complaint against her neighbor for rubbing her belly.

She was reportedly approached by her 57-year-old neighbor, Richard J. Beishline, who hugged her and said "I just want to be friends" and rubbed her stomach without her permission, a Pennsylvania State Police representative told Yahoo Shine.

 Beishline left after he was pushed away by Troutman. Troutman felt harassed and she lodged a complaint against Beishline. If the charges are proved then Beishline will have to pay a fine and if not then both will have to testify to prove their case.

 "Pennsylvania law defines harassment as engaging in conduct that harasses, annoys, or alarms a person," Phil DiLucente, a Pennsylvania-based attorney, told Yahoo Shine in an interview.

"That's always been the law, whether someone is pregnant or not, but this is the first time to my knowledge it's been used in such a way," DiLucente added.

Troutman will have to provide evidence that this incident occurred more than once or establish a 'course of conduct' ,the attorney explained. Beishline will be given a simple criminal citation if this incident is the first one so far. This criminal citation will have the significance of a traffic ticket.  

"However, this case will make a dent in people's awareness of a woman's personal boundaries," DiLucente satated. 

This law is likely to help in the world reform their boundaries and not get over-excited on seeing pregnant women and touch her out of excitement. Many people have reacted over the case on the social media and many women have said that they felt violated when strangers or even friends rubbed their bellies.

So people take note, seek permission before touching anyone.