I was out in a shopping centre with my boyfriend when two guys catcalled me as they walked past us. I turned around and they looked back laughing. I stopped and stuck my middle finger at them, and one of them got angry and came charging back at me. He said I was being disrespectful and I shouldn’t have stuck my middle finger up at him.
We ended up walking away from the situation, but I cried in frustration that this has happened over and over again since I turned 13.
I shouldn’t have stooped down to their level and ruined a lovely day out, but as an advocate for equality for women, sticking my middle finger up was a reflex action. Women should not have to go through this and then be made to feel like the bad person for retaliating. I just wish guys like that could be more respectful to women and keep their comments to themselves.
Optional: What’s one way you think we can make public places safer for everyone?
Better policing.
– Sami
Location: Xscape centre, Milton Keynes, UK
Need support? Call the toll-free National Street Harassment hotline: 855-897-5910
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