Abstract: The present device is an electrical connector to provide electrical communication between electrical devices. The electrical connector has a reinforced member to protect the electrical connector from external damaging forces. The electrical connector has a shell with a cavity defined by a back wall, four inner side walls and an open front side. The electrical connector has a dielectric tongue which has a plurality of electrical contacts projecting into the cavity. The reinforced member is a stiffener assembly which is fixed to the back wall and aligned with the tongue. The stiffener assembly includes an insulating sleeve and an internal rigid stiffener. The stiffener assembly is fixed with the tongue or as an alternative within the tongue. At least one of the contacts is reinforced with an additional layer of conductive material to provide further protection from damaging external forces when a plug is inserted into the electrical connector.