Stop Street Harassment

Making Public Spaces Safe and Welcoming

“This was the first time I felt in a position where I could do something”

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I’m a man, I have never been harassed so I don’t know how degrading it feels but I do know it is awful to watch. I have been brought up by a very feminist Mother and a Father who treated me to stand up for others. I saw a young girl in a club who was being chatted up by a guy who was obviously drunk and much older by at least ten years but it progresses to being rather sexually aggressive as she turned him down. He started to grope and pinch as she walked away pulling her back and so on. It was embarrassing to watch and made me feel sick with anger, this was the first time I felt in a position where I could do something, I walked over and said, ‘Thats enough.’

He seemed startled but instantly his attention switched away from the girl, which was fortunate. Unfortunately his attention turned to me. I am not big or strong and I received a good beating. But I have never felt better about myself and would do it again if I saw it.

– C W-M

Location: Southend Night Club.

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13-year-old fears assault

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I’m a fairly tall girl, I recently had my 13th birthday. In the past two years, I’ve been looked at, stared at, hit on, whistled at and had cars/trucks honk at me. It’s slowly becoming more frequent and I’m sometimes scared what else is going to happen.

I’m only just a teenager, I’m in year 8. I’m scared one day a man is going to grab me and I’ll be too young and weak to fight him off, then all I could do is scream… I wish there was a better way to get this across to all the men in the world…

– Anonymous

Location: Central London

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Standing up for yourself makes you a police officer and a slag!

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I was at a cash machine on a quiet street in Newcastle city centre. I sensed someone was behind me, stood too close. I turned around and this guy started laying on thick…”You’re gorgeous…let me take you for a drink…come on, I’ll show you a good time.”

I told him to back off and then, feeling a little brave, said to him, “Do you think it’s a good idea to approach lone females, especially at cash points, and harass them? I’m not saying I’m intimidated (I was!) but another female could be??”

He then told me to f* off, got right in my face and said “You must be a f**kin’ police officer or something to speak in the way that you do – slag.”

Feeling brave again, I told him to get lost and walked away, all the while he was shouting and swearing at me.

I go through this MANY times, but this has been one of the worst incidents! Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind the furtive glances, a smile, someone trying to catch my eye. I don’t mind a nice compliment or a business card/phone number sneaked my way……but some people don’t realise how aggressive they are and how intimidating they can be. I have had numerous experiences of men approaching me and then getting nasty and aggressive when I turn them away. I hate it.

– SD

Location: Northumberland Street, Newcastle, United Kingdom

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“I have been flashed, groped, had disgusting verbal abuse shouted at me.”

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I have been flashed, groped, had disgusting verbal abuse shouted at me. Whistling and kissing noises are not as threatening as someone actually in your personal space or threatening you with sexual violence.

Having read this blog these menaces are more of a problem than I thought. I have often been tempted to shout back or even throw a straight right but I am too scared and instead ignore the culprits rather than risk even more abuse.

– Anonymous

Location: Lewisham Way, Deptford Broadway, Norwood Junction, Various SE London

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When going to the drug store means preparing for battle

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I attended college in Chicago, IL. Being harassed on the street was a daily occurrence. It got to the point where I avoided going outside, unless it was absolutely necessary.

I remember one day I had just really had it with all the harassment, but I really needed to go to the drug store, so I made a quick trip. I put together a game plan before departure.

I dressed in super baggy clothing, with a hood, and put on sun glasses, so that maybe I would be left alone. I walked with my head down across the street to the drug store. I quickly grabbed what I needed and headed back towards home. I thought I was home free when a man tried to talk to me on the street. I decided just to ignore him and keep walking. He got upset and started yelling at me. He got his friend and told him that I thought I was better than everybody. And they both continued to yell at me as I hurried away– all because I didn’t accept his advances.

– Harper S.

Location: Chicago, Illinois

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