I was walking through student housing neighborhoods on my way home to my apartment. I was with another female friend and we passed a house at the same moment that five males came out the front door. We were talking and only glanced at the noise, but one of them shouted, “Hey sluts!!” to us. I instinctively turned around to say something but realized a reaction is what they were seeking. So I turned back around and we kept walking.

They continued to shout things at us: rude, insulting comments. I do not care if they were sober or highly intoxicated – it is not an excuse. Who do these people think they are? How could someone possibly think they have the right to speak to a stranger in such an offensive way?

The worst part is that that one word will stick with me forever. I am sure they have forgotten about it and will never think about it again. But I will not forget. How it felt to be talked to in such a way. They don’t know me. How dare someone speak to another human being that way.

It infuriates me that we live in a world like this. I am so angry at these monsters that think they can treat women this way.

And what’s unbearable is that if their goal is seeking control, sometimes it works. Every time this happens to me, I plan a new route, or avoid going out late at night. When I do this, they have gained control over public space by removing my comfort and feelings of safety in that area.

How do I stand up against this while still being safe? I am so incredibly frustrated.

– Anonymous

Location: Madison, WI

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There was a time we, ladies, were made to believe that getting unwanted attention or snide comments from guys was a sign of femininity or worst still your fault for being provocatively dress. But most people who have been harassed on the street already knows this is a farce. Before, every time I was stepping out of my house,I used to check my dressing over to ensure I wasn’t encouraging these disturbing comments and reactions; I became so self conscious until I finally gave up trying to figure out why men could be so crude.

A visit to the market, a walk on the streets and I hear guys whistling- not all guys- and when you don’t return the attention I hear words like. “f**k you,” and “I want to have sex with you,” etc. Some even held me and said, “Hey, I am talking to you,” or a male counterpart calls and says, “That guy is calling you.”

It is really disturbing. I used to respond before with insults but now when I have to walk I just leave my house with my headphones on and ignore comments and glares. This is not a solution, we need the street to be safer!

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

I told my friend yesterday when we were both held by this man trying to get us to look at his goods that I need to get a pepper spray. Also, people need to be educated, especially in my country, they see street harassment as a normal reaction from male and do not care that we-ladies- are uncomfortable. Our mothers need to talk to their son on how to treat ladie.

We also need more campaigns so it can sink into the community that this is wrong and WE ARE NOT ACCOMMODATING it any longer.

– Mobolaji.F

Location: Nigeria

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I was walking to work at a Smithsonian museum in Washington DC. I entered the museum and walked towards a ladies’ bathroom. One of the male guards there said, “You need to smile, baby,” and I turned to him and said directly, “Repeat that.” He did, but this time did it nervously (there were people around, most of them women). Then I said, “Do not do that.” and walked off into the bathroom. When I walked out, he was gone.

I felt good having to hold him accountable for the way he talked, and I could tell he felt embarrassed. But when I spoke about it with someone else, he told me that interaction with harassment is a mistake-“you enter their world, so to speak, and that makes you unsafe.” he said. I don’t know if he is right.

– Anonymous

Location: Smithsonian, Washington, D.C.

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