Stop Street Harassment

Making Public Spaces Safe and Welcoming

Archives for September 2017

“I feel paranoid and exploited”

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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

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.

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“I got my eye on the Asian right there”

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I was waiting at the bus stop this morning, when I heard three men cross the street and one of them saying loudly, “I got my eye on the Asian right there (referring to me)”.

I stood my ground and pretended not to hear. When they got closer, the one who spoke out loud sat down on the bench behind me and starting saying “hi” and “hello” to me. I continued to ignore them. Then the man said, “What is it with you Asian women?” and “Look like she got some shrimp fried rice in her bag”.

At this point my heart was beating and I was thinking about how I should react. I decided to stay quiet because I didn’t know if me responding could escalate the situation. The guy then said, “I’m going to dump that food all over your boobs.”

Luckily, the bus pulled up then, and the group of guys walked away and I got on my bus.

– YW

Location: S9 bus stop in Silver Spring, Maryland

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.

Share

Free Workshops in Harlem in Sept. & Oct.

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SSH is supporting the New York-based Sydnie L. Mosley Dances’ The Window Sex Project Community Workshop presented in collaboration with I, Too Arts Collective on Sept. 14 and Oct. 16 (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.).

Harlem women and genderqueer folks ages 18-40 are invited to participate in a FREE workshop rooted in movement, storytelling, discussion and healthy living. Use your voice and movement to respond to street harassment. Fellowship with others living in your community. RSVP + more info.

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