Ashley Welch is a staff writer for Everyday Health and wrote about a recent harassment/assault she had:
“As I danced with a friend at a New York City nightclub one night this winter, I felt a pair of strong male hands grab my upper thighs. Within seconds, the unwelcome grasp made its way to my inner legs as a man’s body encircled me from behind…
Days later, the incident weighed heavily on my mental health. I felt disappointed in myself for not reacting more quickly. I felt defeated that I had allowed a man to grope me against my will and did nothing about it. I kept bringing myself back to the feelings I felt when it happened – scared and relatively helpless – and became anxious that it would happen again. Then after a while, I got angry. I denied this man a dance so he felt the need to assert his dominance by grabbing me? What made him think he had a right to any part of my body!”
For International Anti-Street Harassment Week, Ashley is speaking out in her article and by organizing a Tweet Chat happening today at 3 p.m. ET about street harassment and health. Stop Street Harassment, Hollaback!, FAAN Mail, and therapist Rachel Thomasian will co-host.
Please join in: #HealthTalk #EndSH
