I’ve been living in Copenhagen for the last couple months, and had never felt any danger until I moved from the relaxed, canal-lined Christianshavn to the inner city feeling Bispebjerg. I’ve lived in various metropolitan cities like Paris, New York and Barcelona where you know to always keep your guard up, and for the most part, that wasn’t the case in Copenhagen…until tonight.

I just got followed home by two men in their 20s/30s. It was around 10:30pm and I went to walk to a corner store two blocks away to get some snacks and had first noticed these guys walking in the same direction as me while I was leaving my place. It turned out that the corner store was closed so I walked back home to fetch my bike so I could find another one that’s farther away in the next neighbourhood, Nørrebro.

I took the back alley entrance as I only brought 1 key (the front entrance requires two keys). Once I got to my doorstep, I bent down to tie my shoelaces. That’s when I heard someone cough. I turn around and spot the same two men from earlier no more than two metres away from me! Once they were spotted, one of them immediately turned around and started walking away. The other just stared, as I quickly and calmly went to open my door. Before I got inside, I just stared back at them, as they now were walking away, but constantly looking back at me (I suppose to check to see if I was still there). Long story short, no snack run tonight.

Now I’m too frightened to go out alone at night in this neighbourhood. I’m actually moving away for good in two days, and I couldn’t be looking forward to it even more now. It’s not the first time this has happened to me, and by far not the worst experience (for that, it’s Paris); a part of me is just surprised it’s happened here in Copenhagen.

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

Make them aware that you know they’re following you. Whether it’s a simple stare down, to something more direct. And if you need help, scream as loud as humanly possible that you need help and you’re being attacked.

– A

Location: Bispebjerg, Copenhagen, Denmark

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

I am 5′ 8 and 230 lbs. I am now a vegan, have been one for three weeks, and I have been cycling in order to lose weight.

I was just harassed while riding on the street. A piece of shit in a black car honked at me. He yelled, “Yeah baby” as I was riding on the road. I gave him the finger.

I read another account on here of a woman who refuses to exercise outside because of misogynist men like this piece of shit harassing her. It is a shame that women are made to feel this way. It is the fabric of misogyny that we have to deal with.

But f**k that! I f**king refuse to compromise my physical health because some sexist PIECE OF SHIT wants to act like he is 12 years old.

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

I think we should outlaw this behavior and we should be able to report it.

– Anonymous

Location: Ontario, Canada

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I was walking on a sidewalk in downtown Washington, D.C. when a group of four men closed in on me. One guy extended his arm to try to get a “high five” with a “hug” and wouldn’t let me pass until I acknowledged him. It was either to jump into traffic or remain cornered by his group so I pushed and punched him with my fist. Luckily I was carrying keys so I scratched him, then ran away.

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

The side of the sidewalk I was on had a broken street light. Where it was darkest was where I was harassed. It’s stupid that I should have to avoid dark sidewalks, but it’s also unfortunately as I learned, a truism.

– EL

Location: Washington, D.C., USA

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This happened when I was in a public transit bus around noon. I was sitting right beside the window on the right side of the bus. There weren’t a lot of people in bus since it was a Saturday and this bus takes you to a university. The bus stopped at a red light and I noticed two men who wouldn’t stop looking at me. They looked old and intoxicated. They were pointing at me and exchanging words to each other. I tried my best not to look at them. One of them knocked on the window and said something. He then proceed to give me a ”kissy face’ and licked his lips.

I started to ignored him but he wouldn’t stop knocking on the window. It was a loud continuous knock and the rest of the passengers wouldn’t stop looking at what was going on. I was so embarrassed and angry at the same time. This actually makes me question my appearance. Is it because of the way I dress or how I do my makeup that makes men want to street call? Why must men do this to women? This is so wrong.

– Anonymous

Location: Winnipeg/Manitoba/Canada

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debo decir que desde hace ya mucho tiempo tengo muchas inseguridad a la hora de transitar por la vía pública esto desde que un día cuando tenía 12 anos de edad iba caminando tranquila y sin ningun miedo a nada, un hombre manejando una bici paso junto a mi, de repente senti como golpeo mi nalga y se burlo de mi, despues del acto huyo y su gorra se le cayó, al observar que se le cayo su gorra se regreso por ella valiendole que estuviera cerca de la gorra y que pudiera golpearlo o hacerle algo, el sinismo fue lo que hasta ahora no he entendido, no tienen miedo o respeto por las mujeres.

– LORENA

Location: querétaro

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