I live in Barbados and street harassment is a serious problem there. I have witnessed men blatantly calling women out their names and imposing their unwanted attention onto them. Leaving home one has to garner oneself in preparation for the onslaught of rude comments and suggestions that are sure to come. Verbal and physical harassment are so interwoven into the fabric of our culture that it has become accepted as the norm. So accepted that a song called “Meat gotta pull” actually got air play on the radios here.

There is a common expression in Barbados that Bajan women are unmannerly and difficult to approach but no exploration of how this came to be the case. I’ll be generous and say that at least half of your daily encounters with men here will end with some inappropriate and unwanted comment. So is it any wonder that females are apprehensive when males approach them?

The worst part is that I believe some of them think they’re flattering you.

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

I believe more people need to get involved when they witness street harassment taking place and be the keepers of our brothers and sisters. Men are the perpetrators in many cases but they are also the victims.

– Anonymous

Location: Barbados

I was walking towards my bank and a passing car slowed down. The driver brought out his head to tell me that I am a W#**e and a s**t and I should get in his car and let him f#@% me …

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

Strict laws to let them know that it is a crime and it causes women to feel unsafe walking down the streets

– Anonymous

Location: Tripoli-Libya

 

I am 73 years old and live in Auckland, New Zealand. I recently downsized from a house in suburbs when I mostly drove to places I needed to get to, to an apartment close to the city where I now mostly walk. I have noticed that when some elderly men pass me in the street they seem to make a strange kissing noise which I find offensive. I have only just realised since finding this website that it is intentional ….. and I am now ANGRY.

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

I rather feel like pursuing the next passer by who does this and asking him, in a loud, clear voice why he does not treat me with more respect.

– Jean HH

Location: In the street, often busy areas, Auckland, New Zealand

I am 13 years old and harassed weekly. I have been harassed since the age of 10.

The first time I was harassed was when i was walking to a friends house alone at the age of ten. (I have always looked older than I am because I am very chesty.) I was walking past a group of teenagers (maybe around the age of 14). There was two guys and one girl. The guys started shouting things like. “Hey let me kiss you.” A red flag went of in my mind and I ignored them. I didn’t even know what sexual harassment was and it was happening to me and what really bothered me is that the girl didn’t do anything, she just laughed.

– Bunny

Location: Just at a park.

While walking with two male friends from a bar to get food a passing man grabbed my ass. I immediately grabbed his shirt and slapped him across his face. I yelled at him, “You cannot touch me! You cannot just grab someone’s ass! That is not ok!”

He stuttered a weak response and basically ran away. I burst into tears. It happened crossing the street in a large crowd of people so a lot of people saw and heard what happened. I hope they all took it to heart.

– Anonymous

Location: Washington