I was walking up the stairs in the metro station towards the exit. It was a busy station and the stairs were crowded. I was 22 and wearing tight jeans. A guy behind me put his hand between my legs, with the back of his hand against my crotch and slid it towards my bum. He did it so quickly, running up the stairs ahead of me, that I didn’t even have time to react. He turned his head towards me just before he got out of the stairs. I didn’t know how to respond so I just gave him a death stare. He said “What?” and walked off.

I remember feeling utterly disgusted and soiled by the gesture and scared that he could have done that in such a public space without anyone noticing or reacting. I was really shaken. But mostly I remember feeling angry and scared because I had been completely unable to react or to do anything about it. It was then that I got the idea to take self-defense lessons.

– Anonymous

Location: Paris, France

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I’m an English teacher in South Korea, so I’m part of the 1% of people in South Korea who are not Korean. I guess I stand out a little bit because of this. Sometimes it’s nice and people ignore me more, but other times they talk to me more.

One day I was walking home after a day of work and I was one block from my apartment. A white car drove by me and pulled up in front of my building. This is perfectly normal, there are restaurants in the bottom and many people who live inside. However the driver did not get out of the car.

As I am walking up the sidewalk I noticed a “baby on board” sticker. It makes the car seem a lot less threatening. As I started to walk past the car I heard a man say, “Hello,” out the window. So I looked over to acknowledge that I heard him before walking on by. However when I looked over I noticed that he was masturbating…

I probably made some kind of disgusted face, I don’t really remember, but I just walked quickly away and into my building. (I took the stairs in case he followed me inside to see what floor the elevator went to.)

I felt quite a bit scared after that. I’ve had people cat call me since I was 13 or so and while it’s annoying it’s bearable. This was not OK. Not at all. I remember I was wearing a skirt that day so my legs were showing from the knee down, nothing crazy but it made me question how I dress and if it’s OK. I don’t think I should have to worry about wearing skirts because some perverted people might do this to me.

I think the worst part was that “Baby on Board” sticker on the car. Because that man is obviously a father.

– AKH

Location: Dongtan, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

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I run for the cross country team at my high school. It shouldn’t matter, but I am a female runner. Because of this street harassment is something I experience almost weekly. Men think it is appropriate to honk, whistle and yell at me and my team while we run. One time a passenger held a sign that said, “Show me your boobs” (to teenage girls!)

Because I was, and still am afraid of cat calls and honking, running alone is a luxury I don’t often indulge. When I do I try to wear pants and would never wear a tank top or spandex even when its a hot afternoon.

What bothers me most is that the boys always run shirtless, no one bothers them. I deserve to wear whatever I want and feel safe. I am so glad to be a part of stopping street harassment week because no one should have to endure being publicly embarrassed.

– Clarissa

Location: Chino Hills, California

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I’m in high school (ninth grade) and I’m on the girl’s lacrosse team. Every day we have practice I take the bus afterwards and walk about half a mile home by myself. Today, I was walking down Haldeman Avenue and I noticed a guy on a bike slowly riding behind me. As usual, I moved to the side so he could pass.

Instead of continuing his journey he started to ride next to me and ask my questions about my age, school, grade and where I lived. Unfortunately I was wearing my old elementary school spirit tee shirt so he knew what elementary school I attended and started asking me questions about it. I ignored him but he wouldn’t stop. At this point I started to get a bit uncomfortable because he was riding alongside me as I was walking in the direction of my house.

That’s when the inappropriate stuff began. He started commenting on my butt and breasts, telling me a bunch of inappropriate things he wanted to do to me. He told me that he wanted to be my boyfriend. The guy had to be at least 20-25. I started to get even more scared because nobody else was really walking around us and there were no intersections so I felt like I couldn’t cross the road to get away from him. Plus, he had a bike so he’d easily be able to catch up with me.

He kept asking for my name which I refused to give him. Finally, he remembered I was ‘jailbait’ and finally left but told me he’d be waiting for me next Thursday. I rushed home and told my friend what happened. Since she is also on the team she told me her mom would drive me home after every practice. I feel super uncomfortable walking anywhere alone because I have bad dreams of seeing him again but this time he’d follow me home. Keep in mind that this happened in broad daylight (about 5:00 PM EST). I feel great knowing I can share this story and know I’m not alone.

– Anonymous

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Sometime last summer, I found myself in the middle of Times Square with 4 people (3 women, 1 man), waiting to begin work for my internship. A man came up to us, in the middle of Times Square, and began asking me where I’m from. I knew this routine and told him New York—blatantly showing my disinterest (if you know me, you know I can have the ILL stank face.)

He pursued, as I knew he would, asking where I was really from. I said New York. He continued. I gave in-Ethiopia. The other 4 were watching and listening (and smiling) as this man continued. “What is your name?”

“I’m working,” I told him.

“What is your name?”

I probably either told him Assefash or Sara, but I don’t remember. He said, “Give me your number.”

I said, “I’m not interested.”

“Give me your number,” he began to move closer. One woman laughed and said, “Haha, I don’t think she’s interested, sir.”

He didn’t even pause to look at her, “Oh, she’s interested. Write your name and number on a $100 bill and give it to me.”

“Seriously, I’m working and I’m not interested.”

“No—write your name and number on a $100 bill and give it to me.”

“Leave me alone-I don’t want to have this conversation!”

He finally waved his hand and continued on his way—through the middle of Times Square. The 4 people laughed it off and we continued to work.

I’m sharing this story because this week is International Anti-Street Harassment Week and I’m asking you all to take a moment to engage with the movement in one way or another. I’m still trying to figure out how I can really do something, myself. Street Harassment is a real thing, despite people’s tendency to brush it off as, “Oh, they’re just flirting,” or “Oh, it happens all the time-don’t be so sensitive.” Whether or not the intention to threaten is there, street harassment does just that. Let’s continue the fight for equitable and safe streets.

– ATM

Location: Times Square, NYC

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