I’m 14. My mother and I were taking the metro, as we do all the time. I’m used to being stared at- not only for being a girl but also for being a ‘foreigner’ in another country. My mom stepped away for less than 5 minutes to get our tokens, when a man walked up to me and started pointing at me and singing the word “Sweetiee..” in my face. I tried to brush him off and walk over to my mom, but he grabbed my wrist. I felt REALLY scared, because I have never been approached physically like that before. I pulled my arm away and ran. I haven’t gone on the metro since.
Do you have any suggestions for dealing with harassers and/or ending street harassment in general?
Never stop resisting. Whether the harassment is verbal or physical, never let somebody continue to make you feel uncomfortable. If they make uncomfortable remarks, yell back. If they make physical advances that may be threatening, do not hesitate to push people off, fight back or run. NEVER give in to advances that make you feel threatened.
– FS
Location: New Delhi, India
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See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for more idea