The other day I went to go get something to eat with my friends after class and after we finished we started walking back to my friend’s house. They both bike to and from school so they were together about 50 yards ahead of me. We took a shortcut through the park and my friends decided to go ahead of me a little bit (about 200 yards). I saw them bike past a group of about 7 or 8 guys from my school who were sitting on both sides of the path. I didn’t want to make it obvious that I wanted to avoid walking past them alone (not a great decision) so I just walked right between them. This one guy had a mouthful of water and ʺpukedʺ all over the path and my leg and his friend was laughing and patting him on the back. I continued to walk and one guy called ʺthat booty tho’!ʺ to me and they all just started cracking up.
Personally, this was my first catcalling experience and I’m honestly very surprised about how calmly I reacted. I just kept a straight face and walked away and did not react. I didn’t want to give them any ammunition to use against me. I’m still slightly shaken up from it even though I know this is much less worse than what some other people experience regularly, but I know I’m not the one to blame and I keep telling myself that. I just really hope this never happens again because I get very easily scared and I felt pretty anxious for the rest of the day. I considered momentarily to change the way I dress to protect myself but I immediately realized I shouldn’t have to change my personality or the way I express myself to feel safe in a situation like this.
Optional: What’s one way you think we can make public places safer for everyone?
Always stick with a friend that can help you in an uncomfortable position or go to someone trustworthy who can help you and discourage young people from catcalling.
– Anonymous
Location: Berkeley, CA
Share your street harassment story for the blog.
See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for more idea
