I was walking my dog in the park, just the usual timing, usual route. However, because there was ongoing construction nearby, it meant that there would be a lot of foreign workers there. (My country hires lots of foreign workers to construct buildings and stuff.) So anyways, I was turning back, ready to go home when suddenly a huge group of foreign workers appeared and started walking towards me. I had lots of bad experiences involving them before, but this time was different as they were in a huge group. Like 20 people. So I tried pretending to text and stuff. When they came nearer and nearer, I got more and more uncomfortable and afraid.

One of them dashed to the front of the group and started whistling loudly while the others just laughed behind. I continued walking. Unfortunately, my attempts of trying to ignore them were in vain as I still heard them speaking in their language and laughing as they walked past me. I didn’t look at them as I was really afraid they might do something to me. After they walked past, I felt really, really upset and disgusted. The feeling I felt made me sad, boil with rage, disgusted and suicidal even, all at the same time. I was on the verge of tears.

On my way back home, I was so angry I couldn’t help but plot revenge on them. Of course, I knew deep down I couldn’t do anything to stop them. I could only wait for the construction to be finished so they would leave the area. This wasn’t my first time getting cat-called. But I don’t feel comfortable keeping quiet this time. I am sitting on my balcony typing this when the feeling is still fresh. I really hope no one has to experience this heart-crushing feeling.

– E

Location: A park in Singapore

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This creep followed me as I was exiting the subway and tried to block me while using words that even I don’t say….so when he went up the stairs I took the elevator. I got to street level and he blocked the elevator and wouldn’t let me out, wouldn’t let the doors close, so I took his picture. He tried to get in with me and I managed to run out under his arm (thank goodness I am short!) and ran for subway steps. He followed, and spit on me (good aim unfortunately). He followed me to CVS, and them ambled away to harass the next woman. The entire time, of course, he was laughing, cursing, harassing, and I was trying to just get away from him. The rest of the pedestrians just stood by watching even though I asked them to call the police a few times. I got the police to come a few minutes later and they said the could and would do NOTHING. He is not free to harass, intimidate, and spit on other women.

– JD

Location: 14th and 8th Ave. in Manhattan

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Last night I walked to my boxing class one street over from my house. I crossed the street right at my house and two teen boys repeatedly called out to me – loud and at least 20 times. They then started to say, “Bend over and back that up” as many times as they had previously called out to me. I ignored them the whole time. They then started to say, “You with the red bag.”

At that point I started to get scared because I thought they might come after me. I ran through the shortcut to the next street. On my way back home, I walked home on a busy street in case they were around. When I told someone about it, they said I should drive to class from now on. WHY should I have to change my routine when I did nothing wrong???? I’m 46 years old, btw.

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

I have no idea. When I told some people they said “good for you” until they heard how it had escalated with what they were saying. Some people see it as a compliment. It’s not. It’s scary and you never know when verbal harassment could turn into an assault.

– Anonymous

Location: Canada

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

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I was walking downtown on my lunch break, and I saw an older man in a wheelchair who looked possibly homeless. I had a bad feeling walking toward him. I knew it was going to happen. I did my best to look studiously away, but predictably, the catcall came: “You’re too young to be that pretty.”

I was angry. I wanted to flip him off, kick him in the balls, do anything to let him know that that was wrong. Instead, in the response ingrained in women for our own safety, my instincts took over to keep me walking and ignoring. By the time I remembered that it was daylight in a public place and it would be safe to respond, I was probably far enough past him that he wouldn’t even see me flip him off. I realize this is a slightly different issue with the homeless in that they are in some ways exerting power the only way they can. That does not make it right. It is unacceptable regardless of who does it.

– SK

Location: Salt Lake City, UT

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

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See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for ideas.