When I was 12 years old, I was walking down to the beach with my cousin who was 9 years old at the time. We were both wearing shorts with a bikini top on because we were going swimming. On our way down to the beach a man that looked around 45 whistled at us and kept on staring at me and my cousin.
At the time I only ever heard stories about cat calls and never had it done to me. When it happened, I got really scared my stomach felt like it dropped to my feet. Then my cousin asked why he whistled at us. I didn’t know what to say so I just said, “It was to someone else not us”.
That was a lie, but I didn’t want her to feel bad about what she was wearing and blame herself for that happening. I told her to not talk about it ever again. I never told anyone because I was embarrassed and felt like it was my fault for wearing shorts and a bikini.
Optional: What’s one way you think we can make public places safer for everyone?
I think one way to make public places feel safer would be that if you ever see anyone being cat called, make sure you let them know to not blame them-self. If you blame yourself you get an awful feeling inside that never goes away. Catcalling and harassment are NOT a compliment.
– MA
Location: Hastings, Oshawa, Canada, at a cottage
Share your street harassment story for the blog.
See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for more idea.
