I was sitting outside with my eleven-year-old daughter. A gold/beige sedan with one overweight, balding driver, a skinny, punk kid passenger and two young women, skulking in the backseat, pull up to the stoplight. The man made a REALLY obscene gesture using two fingers and his tongue to us.

I say, “Seriously? This is my ELEVEN -YEAR-OLD!” They laugh and the driver makes a “call me” sign. I glared at them the entire time they sat at the red light.

I’ve lost my faith in humanity. Something like this happens everyday to me while I’m walking in my town.

– Anonymous

Location: Lexington, KY

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Men regularly yell at me at on the street, however, the frequency fluctuates from a few times a month to a few times a day depending on where I am. The street harassment started when I was about 12. I have been harassed in school uniform as well as regular clothes of all forms and styles. I have been called a slut, bitch etc, wolf whistled at as well as tooted at by men of all ages — however it is mostly men under about 30.

The vast majority of street harassment that I get comes from men in passing cars, it is very frustrating because as soon as it happens it is too late to say something back or gather details because they have driven off. If I had the chance I would say, “Don’t speak to me like that” and collect any details I could such as the car’s number plate to notify police, but these men disappear before they face any consequences. It leaves me feeling helpless because I’m left there feeling abused and powerless, unable to take action.

I think women need support for the issue, however it is my concern the role of the young men in this is often ignored. I worry that many young men don’t actually understand why it is wrong to yell at a woman on the street and think it is some kind of funny game. I think it would be appropriate for young men to be educated on this in ways that are effective, such as in school.

This is a legal matter but I don’t think legislation will be very effective in changing attitudes because the last thing on the mind of someone who is about to yell at a woman on the street is if it’s legal or not. There must be a shift in our culture’s view of woman as well as a man’s right to say such things to a woman.

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

If it is safe to, say something back that is firm and assertive but try not be rude back as that can be counter productive.

– BL

Location: Either walking down the street or waiting at the bus stop, New Zealand.

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I’m 15 years old. I was walking home from the bus stop and it’s only a 20 minute walk. In those 20 minutes, someone in a car driving on the opposite side of the road honked the horn at me and made inappropriate sexual gestures. Someone in another car whistled at me and told me to take a ride with them. Another person in a car made a u turn and stopped me and said he was sorry he just had to get another look. I’m 15. I can tolerate catcalling at school but when it comes from grown men it’s extremely frightening.

– Launna smith

Location: Jacksonville, FL

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I was with my mom walking away from Bourbon Street with my brother and sister. A man on a bike was looking at me and then he licked his lips and nodded. Afterward I told my mom what happened and from that day on I don’t like being in New Orleans. I just feel it’s a dangerous place. I felt that I was going to get raped or something. I was just really scared.

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

If someone talks to you just walk away. Don’t pay attention to any strangers who you walk by.

– Anonymous

Location: New Orleans, LA

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I’m 14. My mother and I were taking the metro, as we do all the time. I’m used to being stared at- not only for being a girl but also for being a ‘foreigner’ in another country. My mom stepped away for less than 5 minutes to get our tokens, when a man walked up to me and started pointing at me and singing the word “Sweetiee..” in my face. I tried to brush him off and walk over to my mom, but he grabbed my wrist. I felt REALLY scared, because I have never been approached physically like that before. I pulled my arm away and ran. I haven’t gone on the metro since.

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

Never stop resisting. Whether the harassment is verbal or physical, never let somebody continue to make you feel uncomfortable. If they make uncomfortable remarks, yell back. If they make physical advances that may be threatening, do not hesitate to push people off, fight back or run. NEVER give in to advances that make you feel threatened.

– FS

Location: New Delhi, India

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