Street harassment happens a lot where I live (Newcastle, UK). This story isn’t about a time I was harassed, it’s about when I realised how bad the problem actually is.
Over the 4 or 5 years that I’ve lived here, I’ve been told to smile more times than I can remember.
A man once drove onto the pavement and tried to get me into his car.
Men in vehicles have slowed right down to have a better look at me (including a uniformed UPS driver and a Gateshead Council van).
A pedestrian stuck his head in my car.
Other drivers have slowed down, making sexual gestures at me.
Men have told me they’d like to “slip their cocktail in my vagina” that I’ve got “a weird arse” and “a nice body but it’s a shame about the face.”
Men have randomly shouted “pussy” at me.
Men have blocked my path.
Men have followed me down the street.
I am beeped at by men in passing cars pretty much every time I leave the house.
The other day a man catcalled as I was unlocking my front door. The last one scared me a lot as this creep now knows where I live, what I drive, and what time I come home.
I try to let it go, but I feel so powerless. I want to hit them, to throw rocks at their cars, but I know I’d be the one who ends up in trouble with the police if I did. The frustration just builds up inside.
A week or so ago I’d had a busy few days and was feeling hungry and tired. I didn’t have much to eat, so I thought I’d take a walk to the shops. Then I didn’t, because I just didn’t have the strength to let another attack go, and I knew there was a really high chance of something happening if I went out.
That hit HARD. I called for takeout instead. And cried.
Optional: What’s one way you think we can make public places safer for everyone?
Specifically criminalise non-physical harassment like shouting, beeping and name calling.
– SA
Location: Newcastle, UK
Share your street harassment story for the blog.
See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for more idea.
