I was standing in a doctors office with my three month old baby, waiting for my husband. An older Italian man was staring at me nonstop for at least ten minutes. It made me feel uncomfortable so I looked up and blinked and looked away again. I had my daughter in a papoose. The man walked towards me, and grabbed my arm very tightly which angered me. I broke away and began yelling at him in English. People stood around and just watched as if it was nothing.
I felt like a piece of dirt and knew that had I not been a woman of color, people would have rendered assistance. I am an American woman married to an Italian. I am not in the country to freeload off of the Italians. I am a business owner, and a degreed professional in my former life. Yet, I get the impression that women of color, as well as very blond white women are associated with sexual trafficking based on color and not respected.
-Anonymous
Location: Livorno, Italy
Share your street harassment story today and help raise awareness about the problem.
Find suggestions for what YOU can do about this human rights issue.
