My friend (also female) and I were standing on a crowded bus. At one stop, two men jumped on and the situation was such that they ended up standing extremely close behind us. As the bus lurched at a red light, inertia propelled me backwards. The bus stopping was very sudden and I felt myself knock into the man behind me. Just as I was about to turn my head to apologise, I felt him groping my inner thigh through the fabric of my pants. Then he slid his hand further up until he was most definitely intentionally and inappropriately touching me. If there was room on the bus for me to move and my hands were free, I would have slapped him and called him out. But my hands were trying to grip the overhead rail and I was too shocked to speak. I stood in stunned silence and glanced at my friend who also wore a pained expression.
Thankfully, the men left before we reached our stop. I told my friend what had happened and she said that the man be hind her pinched her bottom and groped her.
I felt compelled to share this story because raising awareness of street harassment is a vital step in preventing it. Victims of street harassment are often made to feel as if they somehow brought the unwanted attention upon themselves. I want subjects of street harassment to know that this is not the case – and there is never any excuse for physically or verbally harassing another person. In fact there are laws against this!
I wish my story involved me calling my harasser out. But I was too shocked and I was afraid of how the man may react if I said something to him/slapped him away. This is a typical reaction for many who have been harassed. I feel safer sharing my experience here, than I did when I was back on that bus full of people.
Remember to pick your battles. Street harassment should not be ignored but make sure there is someone to look out for you if you have tried to defend yourself. Know that you are not alone if all you did was remain silent about your experience(s) of street harassment. You can share your story here, there are many others who will be able to relate.
– Ella B
Location: On a bus
