“I was shaking inside, but so glad that I’d made a stand”

I was sitting in a central line Tube train, on the way to work in the morning. It was fairly busy (usual rush hour crowds), and two men got into the carriage a stop after me.

I was sitting in one of the window seats and they came and stood by me. They weren’t speaking in English but every now and then would say the word ‘sex’ loudly and then look at me, laugh, and then carry on talking. It was plainly obvious that they were talking about me, and this coupled with their staring made me more uncomfortable than I have been in a long while (I’m afraid I’ve gotten used to the odd lingering stare on the trains).

I waited for a bit to see if they would stop. They didn’t. I then made eye contact with the man nearest, and it was fairly stern eye contact as I wasn’t very happy! This seemed to make him laugh and they carried on.

I thought about getting off the train and then decided that there was no way they were going to make me leave. I turned to the one nearest to me and asked in a strong tone what his problem was. He replied ‘nothing’ to which I said ‘good, then you can stop staring at me’. I asked the other one the same question and he too made an excuse and said he’d been staring into the carriage behind me. I asked them to stop.

They stood there for about another minute or so and then slowly shuffled away into another part of the train.

I was shaking inside, but so glad that I’d made a stand. There were a couple of men on either side who would probably have heard me but they didn’t intervene or even ask if I was okay. Oh well, I stood up for myself and of that I’m proud! Maybe they’ll think again before they start harassing someone else. I hope.

– SM

Location: Central Line tube between Gants Hill and Leytonstone, London, UK

Share your street harassment story today and help raise awareness about the problem.
Find suggestions for what YOU can do about this human rights issue.