I was looking at a house as part of my job. As I walked out of the house a man from the neighborhood stopped to talk to me. I was polite but made it clear I had work to do. After a few minutes he left. I walked around the outside of the building to take some pictures and when I got back to the front he was walking past again. He said it was nice talking and then says, “You’re so sexy.”
I ignored him and took a few more photos. I looked back before going back to lock the house and when I did he was staring me down! I was supposed to wait for my boss to show up but I left thinking I was better safe than sorry. I explained to my boss that I had encountered the strange man, but I think he was still disappointed that I had left before he got there. The rest of the afternoon I felt nauseous and it was hard to concentrate on my work.
Optional: What’s one way you think we can make public places safer for everyone?
We need to educate young men to be respectful to women. Women also need to share the effects of these encounters. Saying it happened isn’t enough. Explaining the physical, mental, and emotional side effects makes it more real.
– Anonymous
Location: La Crosse, WI
Need support? Call the toll-free National Street Harassment hotline: 855-897-5910
Share your street harassment story for the blog.
See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for ideas.
