Stop Street Harassment

Making Public Spaces Safe and Welcoming

“Lose some weight you tramp!”

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Just before 5 p.m. on March 19th I was walking along Shude Hill in Manchester, next to the shopping centre. As I reached the crossing next to the bus station I became aware of a man standing alone on the other side shouting abuse at virtually every woman walking past. Anyone dressed up nicely was nasty, dirty, a slut, a whore, a tart etc, and I caught part of a bizarre threat involving rectal insertion directed at one teenage girl. As I walked past I got, “Lose some weight you tramp!” screamed right in my ear.

He was really close to me, and I just turned round and screamed ‘Who the **** are you?’ which did shut him up for about three seconds before he started on other women again. Everyone else just walked past ignoring him. He was just one guy on his own. I was terrified of what he might do after I shouted at him, but I was so angry that nobody was standing up to him. It took me about an hour to stop shaking.

– AJ

Location: Manchester, UK

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“The feeling of being trapped and helpless was quite strong.”

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Around 11:30 or 12 one night after work, I took a bus route that required me to walk a few blocks to my apartment. My building is right on a busy street and the front door was always unlocked. Among the people on the bus were a group of giddy young girls and an older, shady-looking man. He had been focused on the girls, but when I stood up for my stop, he got off the bus with me.

He followed me for three blocks, while I crossed and re-crossed the street and paused to see if he would pass (he didn’t). I reached my building but was afraid to go in because he would see it was unlocked. I waited at a well-lit bus stop, where a young man was waiting as well. The stalker remained across the street, occasionally staring at me (I stared back) and patiently waiting for me to move. I contemplated crossing the street to talk to him, but reflected the streets were quiet and he might be stronger (and faster) than he looked. I was stuck and helpless.

Fortunately, my live-in boyfriend was at home and came out to walk me around the back and inside my building, but otherwise, I would have had few options – nearly all the stores were closed and I didn’t have any friends nearby. The feeling of being trapped and helpless was quite strong. As a young woman, I am tired of being targeted by unsavory, creepy men. I shouldn’t have to walk around with a constant fear of being followed, watched or accosted.

– Victoria

Location: Eglinton Ave. W and Avenue Road, Toronto, Canada

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Crotch grabber in Istanbul

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I was with my Norwegian colleagues on the streets in Istanbul while we were waiting to get on a boat. I found a nut vender by the side of the street and went over to check out what he was selling. As I was standing there with a couple of other female colleagues, a man walks by and grabs my cooch from behind. It was so strange and quick, I thought it might have been an accident, so I just ignored it. But then, the same man walks by a second time and grabs me in the same spot! I was so stunned! I felt so helpless!

– Kiersten

Location: Istanbul, Turkey

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“Perverted creep comes on a bike and grabs my breasts”

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I was right on my street trying to check my pocket to see if i dropped the cash and one perverted creep comes on a bike and grabs my breasts. I scream and call him a fuckin asshole..and he comes back and says i will wait fa u…

never ever felt so helpless and so freaked…

– Angela

Location: r.m.v 2nd stage, Bangalore, India

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“Look out for those creepy guys scouting for women & tell them ‘Trenchcoat Girl’ said hi”

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It was my first time leaving the country and I was extremely excited (I also found an escape from the Australian summer) but at the same time I was a bit wary of America’s reputation. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised how friendly and respectful everyone we encountered was. I came back with many positive experiences, but there was just one incident I thought might be interesting to share.

We were shopping at the Horton Plaza in the Gaslamp district I just came off a ramp my trenchcoat soaked trying to get shelter. I needed to get back to the meeting point asap, I was already pushing it by looking at the last store.

Suddenly I felt a tap on my shoulder I stopped and saw a  man I guess to be in his late 20s-30s (I’m 19 but I look about 22) he asked if he could ask me a question, at this point I assumed he was going to ask me the time.

“I’m not coming onto you or anything” he assured as he rubbed my arm a bit too familiarly. Immediately alarm bells went off and my stomach clenched bracing me for whatever was going to happen.  I looked around and I saw two other men behind him I assumed to be with him I was outnumbered…

He claimed to be with a casting agency (of course he didn’t name his company) and they were scouting for ’25 ladies’ for a gig…..I think you can see where this is going. This was no false alarm. I had already heard about the dodgy practices of the porn industry and I wasn’t interested in becoming a ‘star’ regardless of my state of dress. This may be my first time out of the country but I wasn’t going to be taken advantage of.

I could tell by the way he talked to me was trying to charm me, it felt grating considering he was clearly overestimating his ‘charm’. In a few short sentences I could tell he assumed I would be thrilled to have this job opportunity (Which I couldn’t accept no work visa, no work) and would jump at chance to cater to his whims; I was a just some naive desperate little girl in his eyes.

That’s when I turned the tables.

I looked him dead in the eye and asked “Is this for porn?” in a nonchalant tone. He chuckled nervously at my pre-emptive strike clearly put off by my bluntness. Feeling satisfied I visibly smirked at him and walked off hearing them behind me shouting “I don’t even know what she’s talking about!” for the benefit of anyone in earshot. I made a waving off gesture without even looking back and kept walking I looked back a minute later and they were gone. I felt empowered I felt so proud of myself. They couldn’t answer the million dollar question and came off worse for wear. He wasn’t  expecting a ‘lady’ (his word) to outright ask him his intentions and ended up sounding like a schoolboy trying to defend himself. My only regret is not thinking of better comeback.

But the more I think about it I was extremely lucky, that this was only a minor incident. I was in a safe area and left almost immediately so I could afford to be sarcastic. Many other girls and women can’t risk that in fear of escalating the situation it’s terrifying and extremely depressing but I think blogging about helps. All I can say to anyone who can snark back and remain safe is go for it. You might find your harasser at a loss for words and a smile on your face. : )

Also look out for those creepy guys scouting for women tell  them ‘Trenchcoat Girl’ said hi.

– Trenchcoat Girl

Location: Horton Plaza, San Diego, California

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