I’m a 17 year old girl and I live in a nice neighborhood. The neighbors all watch out for each other. My parents have no problem with me walking the dog by myself around the block. So when I volunteered to walk the dog, my parents simply handed me a bag and the leash without any second thoughts. After what happened, however, I am no longer to go out on my own.

I hadn’t expected it to happen; I’m tall and slim with no noticeable curves. I figured most boys wouldn’t take notice of me. I know now that it doesn’t work like that.

For a while, the walk went well. I smiled at neighbors and keep myself and my dog out of the way of any by-passers. It was when i was walking down my own street to return home that i heard someone shouting my name. Confused, i stopped and turned to the car that had pulled up at the intersection across the street. it was a small light electric blue car that obviously wasn’t new. A guy i somewhat recognized from elementary school had his head out the passenger window, calling my name. he starts talking to me, saying something about how he remembers me from elementary school before i switched to private school. he tells me he remembers how we used to date all the time and kiss. I’m not sure if I’m hearing this right because i have done neither of those things in my life. i felt uneasy and anxious talking to this guy, and this time it wasn’t because of social anxiety.

That’s when he asks me if i want to kiss again, for old times sake. My blood ran cold when he said that and i immediately dropped any politeness i had been trying to keep. i tell him no. he asks me why, as if the answer isn’t already obvious. why would i kiss a guy in a car that i barely remember and know that he is lying about us dating?

He keeps talking, however at this point i want nothing more to do with him and begin to walk away. he yells something about my private area and his car speeds off, thankfully in the opposite direction. i was panicking and felt absolutely repulsed. i wanted to be out of this body that felt so dirty. my skin felt like it was crawling, trying to get off. it did not make me feel confident or happy. it did not feel like a compliment. it made me feel like an object or toy. i spent the rest of the evening feeling disgusted of my own self and scared.

– Anonymous

Location: My neighborhood

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I was walking past my local park on my way to the shop in Fernhill Heath. My 8 month old son was in the pram, he babbled happily. Three men were in a parked van. They were speaking to another man on the street outside a house where I’ve heard them swearing and shouting horribly at young children (although this may be completely unconnected). As I walked past they shouted “nice arse” “Oi I’d definitely do that” “Oi, Oi” “come on back here”.

I dangled a toy in my sons face to seem distracted and didn’t react. A few minutes later the van drove past me slowly, they shouted more of the same out of the window. They stopped at a cross roads, waited for me to catch up then very slowly drove out of the junction. They stopped and looked back at us, finally they drove off.

I felt frightened, mainly, and worried as to how I could keep my baby and me safe. If they wanted to do anything they could and I wouldn’t be able to stop three men. I wondered if they did anything to girls or women in that van. I’m also angry, I take my children to that park often and when I take them out I want them to feel safe with me. I don’t know how to ensure they feel safe when I don’t.

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

A more respectful society where people are valued. People bully others to feel powerful. When we promote inequality this gets worse. Education and making it a shameful act would also be a good aim. Men who do this should be shamed by other men and women.

– Gemma

Location: Fernhill Heath, Worcester, UK

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Well I was on the bus going to school and this guy sat diagonally from me. He typed something in his phone and gestured for me to look at it. I was confused at first but I eventually looked. He was asking me my name. So I humored him, what could happen we were on a bus going to school, and told him my name.

He told me his and soon it got to the point where he asked to sit with me. I didn’t mind because I wanted to get along with my new friend. He asked me if I would go out with him, I politely declined. But this guy was so persistent.

When I would type in his phone he would run his hands over my thighs, getting closer and closer to my no zone. I kept pushing his hand away but other than that I didn’t know what to do.

When I told him to stop he said that as his girlfriend he can do whatever he wants to me. He touched me in my no zone. The entire time he would call me beautiful and amazing, the best girl he’s ever seen. Another thing he told me was that my pussy was so fat he’d died and gone to heaven. He didn’t stop until I threatened to scream and hurt him….but even then it was only because other people got on.

Days later he tried to apologize and make sure we were going out. I had to try and make him understand that it would never happen. I felt helpless…and even though I did Tae Kwon Do, I did know what to do. I was so scared that he’d try worse the next time I saw him. It took awhile before I even let my male friends and family even hug me….not that they noticed. I still don’t like it if anyone calls me beautiful or amazing, though they are nice compliments. They just take me back that time on the school bus.

– CASS

Location: Cumberland County School Bus

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It was a nice sunny day. I was just putting stuff in the back of my car trunk when all of a sudden a car rolls up really slowly next to me. Profane music is blaring and a man is yelling things at me (mostly on the subject of “that ass”) and is videotaping me with his phone. My mouth is wide open at this point and I’m just standing there, frozen. Finally he drives away and I get in my car and just I’m shocked. Then I start crying and breathing really fast. I’m not usually the type to get flustered or nervous but this was just. wow.

– EM

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.