I was walking with my girlfriend down Connecticut Ave in DC and we were holding hands. Three times within one block, we walked by men who were well into their 50s (we are in our 20s), and every one of them made a comment and stared at her, looked at her up and down. They said things to me like, “Wow aren’t you a lucky guy!” or just simply saying “wow” or whistles as we walked by.
This made me mad. Not because other men were taking glances at my girlfriend. It made me mad that she had to go through that. I was sad and frustrated with a world that says that’s okay. I wish she didn’t have to feel objectified and reduced to just an object that “I was lucky to own.” I wish she could have just walked down a main street and just be herself, without worrying about men staring at her body.
Optional: What’s one way you think we can make public places safer for everyone?
Awareness is key. A lot of men don’t think that street harassment is an issue. They don’t see it happen so they don’t think it’s real. We have to engage everyone in the conversation.
– Anonymous
Location: Washington, DC
Share your street harassment story for the blog.
See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for more idea.
