In just one of, sadly, many incidents, I had been to my then boyfriend’s graduation in the middle of July and had already panicked about what to wear as I’d run out of clean clothes. I chose a coral coloured mini skirt, white vest and matching coral cardigan. The colours may have been bright but the look was quite smart. As we were walking down the street (me, my ex and his parents), I was subjected to a range of cat calls and slurs by two men stood outside a Burger King. My ex and his parents stayed silent throughout whilst I carried on walking, humiliated and heartbroken that nobody stood up for me. It was broad daylight and on a busy high street and I couldn’t believe it had happened when I was with a group of people.
I’d been used to it happening regularly whilst I was on my own but never expected it to happen in the UK whilst out with a boyfriend and his parents. Fortunately my current boyfriend isn’t so much of a coward and was horrified when I recounted this story. People need to know that this kind of behaviour is not acceptable in any circumstances and women shouldn’t need to feel vulnerable and ashamed whilst going about their daily lives.
Do you have any suggestions for dealing with harassers and/or ending street harassment in general?
– Anonymous
Location: Cardiff, UK
Share your street harassment story for the blog.
