Every morning for the last week as I’ve gone to class this guy has stood outside this drive thru burger place and made comments and disgusting noises whenever I walk by. Normally I’ve been able to dismiss it because I am not letting him decide what street I should take to get to school.
Today after class I saw him on my way home and I couldn’t deal with it anymore. I walked by while he was talking to a guy about another girl that passed by. He then said, “Ooh but I like this oneʺ and proceeded to touch my arm. Him being comfortable touching strange women is way out of line.
I immediately said loudly, ʺDon’t touch meʺ. He acted annoyed and put his arms up as if he didn’t know what I was angry about so I added, ʺGet the fk away from me.ʺ I heard him walking behind me but luckily another guy that was walking behind me started to walk next to me. He asked me if I wanted him to walk next to me for a couple blocks and I did.
The harasser made me incredibly angry. I was so angry, that tears started to fall down my face. I immediately thought of the next days to come and if I would get into trouble macing him because I’m sure I’ll see him again and he doesn’t seem like the type to stop all of a sudden. I’m angry and scared at the same time. But I’m also stubborn. So I’ll be walking with my mace in my hand in my pocket for a very long time.
Optional: What’s one way you think we can make public places safer for everyone?
Educate that catcalling is harassment and should not be done, nor tolerated. If you see someone being harassed, make sure the victim is OK (like this nice stranger did for me). Stand up against the harasser with words. Never violence.
– Anonymous
Location: In front of Dick’s on Broadway, Capitol Hill, Seattle and in front of Rite Aid, Capitol Hill, Seattle, WA
Share your street harassment story for the blog.
See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for more idea
