Last night I walked to my boxing class one street over from my house. I crossed the street right at my house and two teen boys repeatedly called out to me – loud and at least 20 times. They then started to say, “Bend over and back that up” as many times as they had previously called out to me. I ignored them the whole time. They then started to say, “You with the red bag.”
At that point I started to get scared because I thought they might come after me. I ran through the shortcut to the next street. On my way back home, I walked home on a busy street in case they were around. When I told someone about it, they said I should drive to class from now on. WHY should I have to change my routine when I did nothing wrong???? I’m 46 years old, btw.
Optional: What’s one way you think we can make public places safer for everyone?
I have no idea. When I told some people they said “good for you” until they heard how it had escalated with what they were saying. Some people see it as a compliment. It’s not. It’s scary and you never know when verbal harassment could turn into an assault.
– Anonymous
Location: Canada
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.
