Stop Street Harassment

Making Public Spaces Safe and Welcoming

“Goddamn bitch, you’ve got a fatty!”

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While walking to the store, a man yelled out from a passing car, “Goddamn bitch, you’ve got a fatty!” I tried not to think about it afterwards, but it is still in my mind a day later.

I feel angry, disrespected, and wonder if there is a way to avoid it. Like maybe I shouldn’t wear the jeans I was wearing. I’ve put on a little weight, and my jeans fit tighter. I don’t want to be harassed just because I can’t afford to buy new clothes. I feel angry and frustrated. All I was trying to do was have a pleasant walk, get a little exercise, and enjoy the day. Maybe, he was trying to compliment me, but it made me feel awful.

– Anonymous

Location: Columbia, South Carolina

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

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“I guess they respect the man who is with you”

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Between my best friend’s house and mine there is a building under construction. Whenever a girl passes by, the workers shout and catcall her. That happened to me a few times and it happened to a lot of other women. We live pretty close so I normally walk there daily, and it’s also my way to class. One day I realized the men recognized me as they knew I passed by everyday generally the same time and I started getting scared. Since then, I’ve asked my best friend to pick me up when I visit him and to go to class. I was never catcalled again. My best friend is a guy. I guess they respect the man who is with you.

– Anonymous

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

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“Not Your Baby” Tattoo

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Editor’s Note: My friend Lucé Tomlin-Brenner (watch her stand-up set about street harassment) posted this on her Facebook page this week and gave me permission to share it here.

LuceTattoo-March2016

I just got a beautiful new piece designed by Olivia Britz-Wheat at Blacklist Tattoo in Portland, Oregon, [based on Lucé’s concept] that means a great deal to me. Not only is it an homage to my dear friends War on Women and their anti-street harassment song “Broken Record,” but it is an act of defiance in the persistent face of rape culture.

I have been verbally, emotionally and sexually harassed by men I don’t know for more than half my life. It’s happened while walking down the street, riding on public transportation, working retail/service industry jobs, on college campuses, and while performing on stage. It’s happened in every city I’ve ever lived, visited, or worked in. It’s happened at punk shows that are supposed to be my safe places. These are not compliments, they are violations. They are threats to my mental and physical safety.

Today, March 8th, is International Women’s Day. This happens regularly to most women and girls across the world (and most members of the GLBTQ community as well). Street harassment crosses all socioeconomic and racial lines. It happens no matter what you’re wearing. This has to end. We cannot be fully free when we are scared to walk, bike, exist in public alone.

Stand up against street harassment everyday, any way you can, with any means necessary.

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Emma Watson: “I’ve Felt Scared Walking Home”

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Image via UN Women
Image via UN Women

During an interview with Esquire magazine, actress and UN Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson (I love you, Hermione!) spoke about her experiences of sexual harassment and how they are commonly faced by most women.

“I’ve had my arse slapped as I’ve left a room. I’ve felt scared walking home. I’ve had people following me,” she said. “I don’t talk about these experiences much, because coming from me they’ll sound like a huge deal and I don’t want this to be about me, but most women I know have experienced it and worse… this is unfortunately how it is. It’s so much more pervasive than we acknowledge. It shouldn’t be an acceptable fact of life that women should be afraid.”

I am sorry to hear about the harassment and assault she has experienced and I am so grateful to her for speaking out and for bringing attention to the fact that this is a widespread problem.

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“Threw his tongue inside my throat

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When I was 15, I went to a party with my friends and we were all dancing and stuff when a guy came up to talk to me. He asked me if I wanted to make out with him. I said no. He asked if I wanted to talk to him. I said no. He took me by my waist and threw his tongue inside my throat. All my girlfriends saw this and up to this day, they make fun of me for being a slut because I can’t name all of the guys whom I’ve kissed.

– Anonymous

Location: Country Club Niteroi, Niteroi, RJ, Brasil

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

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