“I believe in equal rights & respect”

I got on the bus this morning to go to work, i had missed the last bus as i had to change from my dress to a pair of jeans and a top because it started to rain. so as i stepped onto the bus, i fumbled in my bag for my purse and i notice the bus driver leering at me.

“i like your top,” he said, ogling at my chest area. (the top was a bit low but not so my boobs were spilling out!) i didn’t know what to say so just gave a fake smile and sat down. but i was fuming. then to top it off, when i arrived at work and told my manager, she just told me “not to wear low tops then”! so i guess it’s my fault i got perved at. charming.

– Clarice

Location: Bridgend, south wales, no 63 bus

[Then two days later she sent this one]

Hi, i have put up a couple of stories on here already. I’m new to this site and i have to say, through reading some of the stories about experiences with street harassers, it has inspired me to speak out and stand up against street harassment.

I am 19 years of age and i can tell you that some of the experiences i’ve had are shocking. From leering, crude remarks and insults to groping and threats, i’ve suffered from them all. It started when i was around 13, just starting puberty. I don’t get as much bother now as i did when i was a few years younger, but i still get the odd perv ogling me or silly teenage boys making rude gestures.

It saddens me that women have got to put up with this kind of treatment. And i realise that the only reason why men do it is because we are female. It’s to do with power and control. Men believe that women are below them and therefore, they have a right to ‘keep us in our place’. Not me. I believe in equal rights and respect for both genders.

– Clarice

Location: Bridgend, South Wales, UK