Stop Street Harassment

Making Public Spaces Safe and Welcoming

“I am entitled to carry on with my day unencumbered”

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Last week at the grocery store, I was harassed by a complete stranger. I had just gotten in my car after loading all of my groceries up when I noticed a man walk by the car. He looked like he was looking in the car or that he was about to come up and approach me, but I did not want to be approached by a stranger as I never do at any time. After I saw him walk away, which was very close to the car, I started pull out. He appeared behind my car, like he was coming back to talk to me. I stopped my car to make sure that I didn’t hit him but he walked right up to the driver side window and gestured for me to roll it down. I did not do this because I do not feel obligated to talk to strange man that I do not know, I have a boyfriend and I would not be interested in getting picked up at a grocery store anyway.

He began cursing and swearing; he yelled something along lines of ‘fuck you, you fucking bitch’ etc., as well as displaying body language that show he was angry. He flailed his arms around and shook his head. When I got home I checked my groceries to see if I had left something and my wallet to see if I had dropped any money, because I was alarmed that he had gotten so angry and thought maybe he had been trying to help me. He wasn’t. I had everything I needed. He was mad because I would not roll down my window down to be hit on. It is scary to live in a world were strange men think that they are more entitled to talk to me than I am entitled to carry on with my day unencumbered.

– Anonymous

Location: Albertson’s parking lot, Lafayette, LA

Share your street harassment story for the blog.
See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for more ideas

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“We told them no multiple times”

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Two guys cornering me and my female friend, in public, asking us to have a drink with them. We decline. they don’t stop asking as, trying to persuade us. We told them no multiple times. Then we implied that my friend and I were dating, and not interested in men, then they got angry insulted us as dirty lesbians, throwing other slurs at us and leaving.

‘Funny’ how harassers never seem to understand a ‘no’ but only a ‘claim on a women by another person’ and then they insult them.

– Anonymous

Location: Germany

Share your street harassment story for the blog.
See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for more ideas

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Street Respect: “You have a great night!”

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Last night, I – along with most residents of my city – watched our team win the NBA championship for the 5th time! Afterward, I was pumped up enough to go for a short run through my neighborhood. All around, people were celebrating with fireworks, honking and cheering out their car windows. As I ran down the street, I approached a man walking in the opposite direction, presumably heading home from a nearby sports bar. When he opened his mouth to address me, I wasn’t sure what would come out. To my surprise he simply said, “You have a great night!” and continued along. I can say, that is the first time I’ve ever passed a man while running and received that type of comment. Obviously, it was a night of good feelings and camaraderie among my fellow San Antonians.

The experience made me feel great…how amazing would it be if this were always the type of commentary we shared with strangers on the street!

What can we do create more street respect?

Keep that neighborly spirit alive! Treat each other as friends and neighbors, not as subjects for rudeness, jokes or crass commentary. Brighten someone’s day rather than dampen it. Set a good example for your friends and bystanders by treating passersby with courtesy and respect.

– Sarah

Location: San Antonio, Texas

This is part of the series “Street Respect. “Street respect” is the term for respectful, polite, and consensual interactions that happen between strangers in public spaces. It’s the opposite of “street harassment.” Share your street respect story and show the kind of interactions you’d like to have in public in place of street harassment.

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“Hey, How Much? … Hey, you, How MUCH?”

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I was walking with a friend in the city after an evening of summer festivities that always excites us, the Arts Festival. It was late, I’d say around 12:45 a.m. We were crossing the street and a man (or shall I say boy) yelled from the car at the stop light, “Hey, how much? … Hey, you, how MUCH? Fifty dollars for some head?”

The yelling continued as we crossed the street and proceeded down a trail that leads to the garage where we were parked. My heart was racing and I was in the midst of a panic attack when my friend told me to slow down. She continued to tell me that the more I look as if I’m affected by their comments the more they would continue to harass us. My fear was so intense I could feel my heartbeat work its way up my throat into my brain. I was filled with anger, near rage.

Once we reached the safety of my car, I burst into tears. I was hurt and offended. I even questioned the way I was dressed and asked my friend if I looked like a prostitute. Not that it should matter in anyway mind you, I was wearing an ankle length skirt and a long sleeved sweater. Again, not that what I WAS wearing matters.

I was relieved to see your article today as it mentions that fear is a normal response. Because I always become afraid in these scenarios and my friend does not I thought something was wrong with me . It is comforting to know that this is a normal response to what happened. I had to address the situation with my therapist. Thinking about the event still brings tears to my eyes.

– Anonymous

Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Share your street harassment story for the blog.
See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for more ideas
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