I spent winter break in Vietnam. Having lived overseas my whole life I tend to let my guard down. Around 10:30 PM I was standing outside a travel agency and cafe. Around me were a bunch of foreign tourists. My mom was fewer that two meters away talking to a travel agent. A man tapped me on the shoulder and said, “You’re beautiful. ”
He was only an arm’s length away. Shocked I took a second to think, then responded, “Thanks, I am 15.”
I should of said it louder. I said it in a tone that was closer to a mumble rather than a normal speech volume level. My mom instantly came over and told him to get away from me, “Get away from my child”, “leave” and “step away from my daughter.”
She had her hand up signaling him to back away. He tried to defend himself. Or so I thought. It started with, “Your daughter? Well you’re beautiful too.”
My mom was unfazed and didn’t even stop to listen to him. She kept telling him to go away. Meanwhile I looked at the ground, clearly pissed but unable to speak. Eventually he did leave. The encounter only lasted a minute. This was my first encounter of street harassment. I am ashamed that I wasn’t able to stand up for myself. I am ashamed for all the people near by who did nothing to help. I am ashamed that our society tolerates this.
Optional: What’s one way you think we can make public places safer for everyone?
Educating the next generation of men and women about street harassment. Teach it in schools, stop it early on. Through the education we can create equality.
– FC
Location: Ho Chin Minh, Vietnam. On the street.
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.
