You probably have already forgotten what happened when I was happily walking to prom last night. You and your friends got back home together, maybe had a drink or two and then slept from midnight until ten this morning. You certainly told your girlfriend you had a great time with your friends and then spent the day with her. You may not even remember my face, my voice or my tears.
The thing is that I can’t forget. I remember every word you said and every physical contact you tried to have with me. I remember some of your friends laughing. I remember my legs shaking and the tears running on my cheeks. I remember my voice trying to tell you to go away.
You told me I was a whore and then that I probably never had sex and blamed me for that. My vagina is mine, not yours. Don’t try to make me ashamed of it. You told me I was a bum because I wouldn’t let you “seduce” me. If you call harassment “seduction”, then you are totally wrong. You told me I was worthless because I didn’t want you to take me home. You told me you hoped I would die because I didn’t want to suck your dick. You told me so much things that I won’t ever forget.
I had four panic attacks since you harassed me at 8:45 pm. I tried to enjoy prom but I couldn’t because I was terrified. Terrified you would come back. Terrified because it was the first time a guy would be so violent with me in the street, even if it had already happened before. Terrified because I’m only 17 and I know it certainly won’t be the last time. I have been trying to sleep but the words you threw me turn in a loop in my head.
I know I am not the first you harassed.
I know I am not the last.
You may have thought you would drag me so down I wouldn’t say anything and would never try to defend myself in such situations. You were wrong.
Your violence gave me so much strength and anger to fight over and over.
– L
Location: Grenoble, France
Need support? Call the toll-free National Street Harassment hotline: 855-897-5910
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See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for ideas.
