Stop Street Harassment

Making Public Spaces Safe and Welcoming

“Feel very frustrated and powerless”

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I was walking with my girlfriend and we came to a red light at an intersection. We crossed the road when it was safe and heard a passenger in a van, stopped at an intersection yell “faggot” from behind us. I turned my heard and he yelled again, “yea I’m talking about you”.

We ignored the disgusting man and kept walking. As we’re now almost back to our car, I hear the man yelling more obscenities as they’re driving passed us. It was difficult to understand what he was saying this time, but i heard the words “my friend… Your….pussy”. I’m not sure how to feel about this as this is not the first time i’ve been targeted in this manner.

It is also no surprise that this behaviour has come from a “white” australian. I felt very angry and although it has been a few hours, i still feel very frustrated and powerless because people like that – are driving around doing whatever they want. I feel targeted because i am asian and not white. I have no other reason why i would be targeted. Based on my past experiences, it was because i am asian.

– RN

Location: Pedestrian crossing, Sydney, nsw, Australia

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

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

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“Abuse of anyone by another is wrong & cannot be tolerated”

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As a young man about to enter the Marine Corps at the height of the Vietnam War living in Hawaii, I met a guy who was already in the Corps. He invited me to his home to talk about life in the Marine Corps. During our talk he physically assaulted me by saying that a certain physical exam was required, then he began by injecting a device up my ass with some device. I’ve NEVER told anyone of this before and I’ve been married, divorced and had numerous relationships with other women. I’m a straight 66 year old male who has felt shame, embarrassment & many other emotions as a result of this. Thank you for providing a platform where one can express what occurs to so many others.

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

By continuing to share that abuse of anyone by another is wrong & cannot be tolerated.

– Dan

Location: Kailua, Hawaii

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

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

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Egyptian Activists Use Eggs to Shame Harassers

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Well, this is a creative, new and in-your-face (on-your-head?) way to raise awareness that street harassment is not okay!

Via Observers:

“Egyptian activists recently took to the streets of Cairo to crack eggs on the heads of men who bragged about inappropriately touching women … They began by just starting casual conversations with men on the street. They chatted with them for a while, to put them at ease. Then, the activists ask a few targeted questions about street harassment. Often, the men they were talking to actually started bragging about touching women. When this happened, that was the activists’ cue to crack an egg on the person’s head.”

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“It made me very angry that such idiots are walking around and harassing women”

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While I was working, my fiancée was on her way to the local parcel shop. At the bus stop an idiot harassed her from across the street. He shouted things like sexy etc. at her. She became very upset about the harassment and texted me. I could calm her down but later in the day when she was shopping another guy harassed her on the street! When I came home, she was very sad and felt insecure due to what happened. It made me very angry that such idiots are walking around and harassing women.

My fiancée did not want to post her experiences so I did it for her to show the world what scum is out there even in Islington, a district I love so much.

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

Harder laws against harassment. A strong shift in society to tackle sexism and pornography.

– Martin

Location: Holloway, Islington, London, UK

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

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

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“Looking gay today”

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Two times in the last week I have had different guys shout out of the passenger side of a car at me. Also, I’m a guy. The first screamed “faggot” and the second said, “Looking gay today” as I walked by the car while it was at a stop light.

I’m a straight guy who does take care of the way I look. I am not afraid to wear brighter colors.

Neither of these are my first experiences with such harassment, but I’ve never had two within a week. The first time this week really pissed me off and I wanted to punch the guy in the face. I stewed about it for a while, feeling a little shamed and shocked. I wondered why on earth the guy felt he had any right to even comment on me walking down the street.

The second time the guy didn’t scream it at me but just said nonchalantly, “Looking gay today.” I ignored it and wondered why him and the other guy even noticed me and bothered to comment. I think that says something about them right there.

That second time I felt pretty belittled and there were a couple of other people nearby. I felt like that comment might initiate more harassment from someone else. I walked quickly with my senses heightened concerned that someone might decide to act on the comment. I also prepared to throw the hardest punches I could if need be. So I felt I needed to prepare to fight, both times. Luckily I just kept going and nothing came of it.

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

As far as street harassment goes, perhaps passing a law making it illegal to threaten or harass people from a car.

– J

Location: First place was in Sammamish, WA, by Pine Lake, second was by Target across the street from Northgate Mall in Seattle.

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

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