I was walking to my mom’s job after getting off the school bus when halfway there this guy in this tacky reflector tape red jogging suit comes up beside me with a whole bunch of $1’s in his hands as if he was counting them one by one. He asked me to get ice cream with him. I was a sophomore in high school and he looked like he was over 30 years old or slightly 40. I’ve always had a rather petite appearance and a face that made me look a few years younger than i really am but regardless this was a man clearly older than me and the fact that i was in a school uniform should have been a red flag alone that i was off limits. Obviously that meant nothing to him.

It creeped me out having some older man trying to, might as well, bribe me with sweets to be with him. I kept telling him no and just walked faster to get across the street. I prayed that he didn’t try to follow me, luckily he didn’t. I didn’t think anyone would ever try something like that because there were in fact police in the area and it was in broad daylight surrounded by other people shopping, no less.

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

I think there should be officers with Stop Street Harassment badges on every street looking out for other young ladies who are being harassed or objectified.

Nia H.

Location: Newark, NJ

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

Extremely crowed. Man stands behind me and whispers “Pussy  pussy pussy” in my ear. It was disgusting.

– Al

Location: Beale Street in Memphis, TN

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See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for more idea

I was wedding dress shopping with my maid of honor/best friend. We had left one shop and were walking to another, and I heard someone behind us quickly approaching. I turned around and saw a man duck behind me, as if trying to remain unnoticed, and he slipped his hand between my legs and grabbed me hard. I was wearing a dress. Then he ran.

I dropped my bag and ran after him, shouting for people to stop him. There were people on the street, people in the mall I eventually chased him into. No one helped.

I eventually lost him as he exited the mall and rounded a corner, but I’ll never forget the look on his face, and the spring he still had in his step. He had done this many times before, and knew how to get away.

The police came. I gave a report. I have a case number. They did not find him.

Arguably, the worst part was, when I turned around to thank the officers, one was looking at my ass. Thanks, guys.

I’ve been harassed many times, but I’d never run after someone. Something snapped in me. And something broke when no one would help. I was proud that enough was finally enough, and I did something, even though he got away with it. At the very least, it’s caused me to talk about it and snap back when I get hollered at on the street.

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

Speak up. Say something, anything, if you feel safe. If there are other people around, ask them to help you. Take a picture, call the police.

– AB

Location: San Francisco, CA

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See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for more idea

It was night and I was walking to my bus stop from a cosplay meetup. I was dressed up as a butler, fully clothed and as I walked passed a man talking on the phone, he stares at me up and down and says, ʺHey, beautiful.ʺ I looked at him and walked passed without saying anything and he starts with, ʺI was just trying to compliment you. Damn.ʺ

He follows me for a bit and stays by the bus stop, talking on his phone while continuing to look at me. For the few minutes it took for the bus to get to my stop, he stays here, staring at me.

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

I personally think there should be classes on street harassment as well as advertisements and such that will explain what street harassment is and why it shouldn’t be acceptable.

– Anonymous

Location: PA

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