It was a cool summer night in Florence, stores were closing, people stood huddled in groups outside their shops discussing the day’s events. I was returning from the dinner party thrown by my college for the graduating students. I was alone walking back for about 20 minutes. I was wearing stilettos which were rather difficult to walk in on the cobbled streets. All along the way I met several men who glanced and glared at me, saying things in Italian which I didn’t quite understand. I was feeling rather uncomfortable by now, however I was just a few minutes away from my place. “Almost there” I reassured myself.
As soon as I reached the crossroads before my street, a man selling umbrellas started pursuing me, trying to talk. Asking generic questions like where I was from, if I would like to buy an umbrella etc. I didn’t respond much. He kept following me. There happens to be an alley you’ve to go through to get to my street. As soon as we reached there, there weren’t many people, he started getting too close. In an attempt to get away, I started walking faster. But alas! My stilettos! I caught my shoe on something and hurt the side of my foot, almost broke my metatarsal and tore a tendon, nearly tripped when he caught me tightly around my waist and gripped my arm. I forcefully pushed him away and continued walking on the sidewalk.
My foot was shaking and hurt horribly but I couldn’t afford to stop. He closed in, saying stuff like, “I young, you beautiful, I love you” and started to feel me up. He rubbed my behind, and I lost my cool. I’m a peace-loving person. I didn’t feel up to it but thought I just had to fight back. I raised a finger & threatened to beat him in a quivering voice (impaired sense of judgement in the moments of crisis I guess). I thought he’d take me away. I was scared, and angry and overwhelmed, trying to make sense, anticipate what he might do next. He didn’t back off so I punched his jaw, just then a couple happened to walk by, he saw them, muttered something and walked away.
I quickly got home and sat in one place till what had happened could sink in. I had never thought such a thing would happen to me. wondered what would have happened if the couple hadn’t walked by that day. if he had countered my hits and hit back. I was no match for him. The illusion of safety shattered. I saw how vulnerable I was. I had felt helpless, weak & out of control in those moments – like anybody could do anything to me against my will.
I was alone in a foreign country in one of the safest cities. The feeling of being looked at and groped by a hungry, lustful touch made me feel the most disgusting I had ever felt in my entire life. I had to catch a flight and get back to my country the next day. Busy days ahead. My foot ache didn’t get better for weeks, reminding me of that night every time that i took a step forward, reliving those moments. It hurt more psychologically than physically.
– Swara J.
Location: Florence, Italy
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