This evening, I was walking from my apartment to retrieve my car that was parked in our ‘first come first served’ lot located behind some residential buildings a couple minutes away. Just when my car was finally in my sight, I was alarmed to hear the sound of a man wolf-whistling some distance behind me. I was alone and scared that something bad might happen to me. I pretended not to hear it and did not look to see the culprit until I was safely in my car. Now I feel an immense amount of anxiety and shame when coming to and from my car.
Optional: What’s one way you think we can make public places safer for everyone?
Make forms of street harassment such as catcalling and wolf whistling a punishable crime. Hold residential buildings accountable for the way their tenants act towards others while on their property, such as parking lots.
– Ashley
Location: Residential parking lot located on the grounds of a BMHA (Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority) public housing building
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.
