This happened years ago, but I still remember it clearly. I was about 16. I was wearing a skirt that came a little above my knees. I boarded a bus in Northeast DC by Benning Road to go to my summer job to pick up my paycheck. Well the bus driver covered the fare machine when I boarded as if to say don’t worry about it. I thought he was being nice because other drivers had done the same in the past. So I said thank you and sat down. As soon as I sat down the driver started making tongue flicking gestures at me. Licking his lips and making sexually explicit tongue gestures. Pretty much he was imitating oral sex acts. I was so uncomfortable. I could see him in the rear view mirror. He continued to do this for the whole bus ride. And when I got off he did it as I walked by. I don’t know if anyone else noticed. It was so gross. I was only 16 and looked like a 13 yr old at 5’2″, 95 lbs. He looked to be about 40.
Optional: Do you have any suggestions for dealing with harassers and/or ending street harassment in general?
Teach our sons and fathers, uncles etc that this is inappropriate and makes women feel less than human. Maybe they will be more aware.
– Anonymous
Location: Northeast Washington, DC
Share your street harassment story for the blog.
See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for more idea.
