As I was walking to my job training I noticed a tall man was following behind me. Realizing that I’m a slow walker I moved to give him enough space to pass me and yet he continued to follow. I thought if I slowed down he would just pass yet he slowed down as well. Finally I stopped and so did he…right on my heels. As I said excuse me to pass him he started to verbally assault me calling me stupid and making references towards my body. Feeling scared I crossed the street and he creepily followed. As I was about to begin to run I saw an older couple and decided to ask for help. By the look on my face they knew I was in trouble. They waited with me as the man finally kept walking and they even escorted me to my training.

Lesson learned? YES. I will be buying mace and an ice pick…just in case.

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

Awareness in important in ending street harassment but if you’re in this situation or a similar one find people!! Find anyone who can stand with you even if it’s only for a couple of minutes. This was the only thing that seemed to make him stop following me, also carry mace and be ready to use it and make a dash to a public area. Most importantly try not to engage.

– PL

Location: Chicago, IL

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

My friend and I decided to go shopping in the city one day and everything was going well until a man, in his late 40s/50s, came up behind me, touched my butt and told me he liked my pants. We rushed into a store and I had to hold back my tears. I felt dirty and upset and spent the rest of the day with my jacket tied around my waist to try to avoid any further harassment. I felt as though it was my fault, that I shouldn’t have worn my high-waisted pants, that they were too ‘slutty’. I still feel uncomfortable about the situation. I am 15-years-old and these occurrences happen almost every time I go into the city.

– Anonymous

Location: City

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

Just a few minutes ago, I was outside of a coffee shop during the day with cousin and we were about to part ways when a man asked us for change, we both politely said we didn’t have any, which was true. As I walked through the coffee shop I felt like someone was following me and it was the same man, out of the corner of my eye I saw him close behind me. I got into my car quickly and he came right up to my window, asking me for the time, I shouted it quickly through the closed window as I was backing out. He kept following the side of my car trying to block it as I was trying to back out. Really creepy and inappropriate.

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

Don’t be afraid to be “rude” since any sane, safe and aware male is not going to put a female in a position where she’s going to feel threatened or scared. If they are, there’s no need to be polite or worry about potentially offending them.

– Anonymous

Location: Pasadena, CA

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

I was a 19 year old girl from a small town in the big city going to college.  I was already scared to death.  My apartment was 6 blocks from school and we walked every day.  Many times men shouted lewd things from cars or from construction jobs nearby.  It was a business college and we were required to wear dresses every day.

I always tried to walk to school as part of a group but one day during finals I was alone.  A car with several men in it drove by me slowly and shouted something about my “fine ass.'”  The went around the block and came by again slower, and shouted again, I was so scared, after they went by I ran the last couple of blocks in high heels.  I was 18 at the time, I’m 52 now and I can still remember this plain as day.

We do not or did NOT want the unwanted attention, it’s degrading, and inhumane!!  I felt like a piece of meat.

– Lynn

Location: Downtown St. Louis, MO

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

I was standing at the bus stop waiting for my bus when this guy walked up too close and then crouched next to me in the bus shelter. He was acting really strange and “dropped” his lighter (more like tossed it out) so it would “fall” near my feet so he could try and look up my skirt when he grabbed it. He was so obvious about it too.

I was so disgusted and upset I couldn’t do anything but glare at him like he was trash and jump into the next bus that rolled up…

– Anonymous

Location: 2nd ave ext. and S Jackson stop, Seattle, WA

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