Stop Street Harassment

Making Public Spaces Safe and Welcoming

“I was alone and scared”

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This evening, I was walking from my apartment to retrieve my car that was parked in our ‘first come first served’ lot. It was located behind some residential buildings a couple minutes away.

Just when my car was finally in my sight, I was alarmed to hear the sound of a man wolf-whistling some distance behind me.

I was alone and scared that something bad might happen to me.

I pretended not to hear it and did not look to see the culprit until I was safely in my car.

Now I feel an immense amount of anxiety and shame when coming to and from my car.

We should make forms of street harassment such as catcalling and wolf whistling a punishable crime.

Hold residential buildings accountable for the way their tenants act towards others while on their property, such as parking lots.

— Ashley

Location:

Residential parking lot located on the grounds of a BMHA (Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority) public housing building

 

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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“It was my job to protect myself from male violence and abuse”

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The scariest thing was…

when I was a child and thought I was a dog…

until everyone pointed out I was a girl..

And then when I thought I was a girl…

until everyone pointed out I was really a woman…

…which meant nothing to me but everything to them…

And suddenly my world was thrown into chaos and I had to play by a different set of rules:

It was my job to protect myself from male violence and abuse and…

If I failed it was my fault. Sometimes I still wish I was a dog.

No one blames a dog.

~ Michelle Ryder

Location:

USA

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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“I felt so helpless and ashamed”

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I’m 14 years old.  Today was horrible! I’d just finished shopping and I was walking past a cafe when I noticed a guy was staring at me.

He noticed that I was looking at him and winked. I was disgusted and you could tell, he carried on winking.

I felt like I couldn’t say anything as I was with my family.

The thing is winking may not seem like a big deal but it happens so much to me and in that moment I felt so helpless and ashamed!

I’ve seen it online but it’s an app that connects to the shop or restaurant or whatever. You can then say who you are and why you are feeling uncomfortable. A member of staff will approach you to ask who is harassing you. The person is then kicked out.

Also, we need more education in schools about addressing street harassment.

— S.C.

Location:

London: Westfield

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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“I’m 14 and I was catcalled today!”

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I’m 14 and I was catcalled today.

At lunch I was with two friends and we were rushing back to school. As we were crossing the street two men whistled from a far and told me and my friend to come over. I kept walking as soon as I realized what was happening and then started to run.

One of my friends was very paranoid, he’s a guy and thought they were following us.

My other friend, who is a girl, didn’t really know what was happening, just followed our lead. As soon as we saw a cop car near by we relaxed but stayed quiet.

We got to school and I had a math test so I did it, still secretly shaking. I tried to stay strong but I was crying on the inside.

I’m a pretty large girl so I have pretty large boobs, I couldn’t stop covering them for hours. I couldn’t stop thinking what could have happened, if we hadn’t run.

My girl friend just kinda ignored it and from what she told me it didn’t affect her at all. The guy twisted the whole story so he looked like the hero and everyone forgot about it about an hour after it happened. Except for me. I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

I cried so much thinking it was my fault. I’m scared that it will happen again.

I’m afraid to go there again and I’m always the one that just goes for it.

I couldn’t tell anyone in my family. And barely friends. They weren’t there. They didn’t understand why I felt the way I felt. This helped a little to get over my fear a bit.

But please… Never do that to anyone… I believe their exact words were a classic “you’re hot” whistle and then… “Vení mamacita”.

If you’re one of that guys.. Never do that again. I was really hurt. Especially if I’m underage and you are older than me! I hope if someone who does this reads this they stop! 100% this happened. It is real. But I hope it wasn’t.

– S.F.

Location:

On the streets in Argentina

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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“We need more routine public patrolling by police officers on streets”

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I was walking on the street barely 10 meters from my house when this vulgar piece of human starts chanting obscure songs as he passed by me.

He had the guts to look back whether I was looking at him or not!!

And the next day A boy almost 12 did the same!!

Now that shows how educated our country is!!

We need routine public patrolling by police officers on streets and in buses.

Dear parents of overly spoiled boy…

As a matter of fact, sensitivity training for young men in your homes would be enough!

Thanking you,

Women of your nation

– “Distressed” (Anonymous)

Location:

New Delhi, India

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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