I was in a mall parking garage, walking to my car, when two men drove by me. One wolf whistled at me. I yelled at him to “f**k off,” and he yelled back at me: “I was calling you cute, f**king bitch!” I cried afterwards. I felt demeaned and objectified. I felt like a piece of meat. I cried over the fact I was scared and belittled, and reduced to a sexual OBJECT even though I am a human being. I cried over the fact that women are treated like this, and worse, every single day. I cried over the fact there are men in this world who hate women. I cried over the fact that there are people in power in the American government, the country that is supposed to be the most free in the world, who actively try to restrict women’s rights. I cried over the fact that I live in a sexist world.
Optional: What’s one way you think we can make public places safer for everyone?
Teach men to treat women with respect.
– Katy
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.
