A guy approached me as I was coming out of class. He asked me if I wanted to be a prostitute and commented on how hard I was making his dick. When I made the report, the police officer asked, “Have you never been hit on before?”

Optional: Do you have any suggestions for dealing with harassers and/or ending street harassment in general?

Always speak up. To the perpetrator, to the police, even against the police if you need to. Don’t let them silence you.

– Riece Hamilton

Location: 2nd and Broadway, Louisville, KY

Need support? Call the toll-free National Street Harassment hotline: 855-897-5910

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

Today while walking to the train after work, a man stepped away from his group of friends (around 4 other men and 2 women) and stood in front of me, blocking and stopping me from walking and asking me where I was going.

I immediately told him to get out of my way and yelled that he had no right to make me feel unsafe.

The two women with him laughed at me.

If we can’t back other women on this how anything ever change?

– Anonymous

Location: Flinder’s Street Station, Melbourne, Australia

Need support? Call the toll-free National Street Harassment hotline: 855-897-5910

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

I was 25 at the state fair one early evening with my 15 yo little sister. A group of guys approached us. We were near the main gate. As we walked towards them and my sister and I talked one of the guys grabbed my breasts very hard and twisted them in opposite directions like they were faucets. I have large breasts and have been a target so many times because of my physical appearance I couldn’t even recount them all. I screamed and yelled profanities at him at which point he and two friends poured their large drinks of beer over my head. I started yelling for help and crying all as my little sister looked on.

A cop arrived and asked what happened. I had a conservative empire-waisted cotton blouse on with a high neck and long sleeves. It was now completely transparent and totally soaked with beer as was my face and long hair. Cop pulled my sister and I aside and told me to calm down and go wash my face. He further said I shouldn’t be out un-escorted at night and not to wear such suggestive clothes. I was stunned shocked and speechless by the policeman’s caviler behavior tone and what he said to me. As I continued to cry and make a beeline for the exit, I looked back and saw the cop and group of guys looking at me and laughing.

I have never ever forgotten the humiliation and abandonment by the cop. It was like it was a private joke to all the men and the cop involved. My sister was terrified. I still think of it frequently and have dreams about how powerless I felt. I recently told my husband who was not really much interested and that stunned me, too. No idea about the pain from that night 25 years ago and why it would still bother me. I have thought about many times a day since this happened with Trump.

Optional: What’s one way you think we can make public places safer for everyone?

I can’t answer this as I don’t know. I am still followed get disturbing things said to me in my own neighborhood on walks. I am always aware of my environment and what I can use for a weapon.

– WN

Location: California state fair in Sacramento

Need support? Call the toll-free National Street Harassment hotline: 855-897-5910

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