“I feel paranoid and exploited”

I’m 17 and I was going to yoga class yesterday in union square. I had my mat and yoga pants on. I heard this guy behind my go, “Nice yoga pants baby,” and “They show off that hot bubble butt,” and “I love to watch that jiggle.”

So I started walking really fast but hit a busy intersection. That’s when he came up right next to me and said, “I want to see you shake that pretty little ass baby! When was the last time you got laid? I would do you so hard baby.”

The light changed and I basically ran away. So like two blocks later I thought I lost him. Most harassers I have encountered typically go away when I run. But not him. I heard, “Mmm baby shake that ass” and “I know you want that c*ck” and “Shake it for me you little slut.”

Then he comes passing by my left side and I see he is filming me with his iPhone. I said, “What the f*ck are you doing?”

He put down the phone and said. “Mmmm I’m gonna jerk off to this later,” and he ran around the corner and kept going.

I live in NYC and have been harassed since I was 11 but this was the worst. Is this guy going to post me on some pervert website?

I was so angry sick and scared that I skipped my class and went home to my room. How dare this guy who was like 45 do this to me. Why did he do it? I just don’t understand it. Now I’m scared that I am going to be on a teen candid website with this guy saying filthy things to me and the worst is that he was pointing the camera at my face too. It now even has me looking at these sick sites to see if I am out there somewhere. I feel paranoid and exploited. I did nothing to bring this on and I have no one that I even want to talk to about it.

Optional: What’s one way you think we can make public places safer for everyone?

More police that are aware of guys like this

– Lilly

Location: Astor Place, NYC