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

I get harassed about once or twice a week when I leave the house. As soon as it gets nice out and I want to be outside, I get punished for being outside.

At this point, even though I’m terrified, I put on lipstick and dress in the way that makes me feel good. Because it honestly doesn’t seem to matter what I wear. I get harassed in sweatpants or skirts. I might as well look the way I want to look if it’s going to happen anyway. I’m officially tired of being scared. I refuse to change the way I behave because street harassing men think my body belongs to them when it is outside.

I’m taking back my streets.

And when I walk my dog, I’m holding on to her poop bags for that special kind of street harasser who seems to think he’s safe in his car.

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

We need awesome male allies who are willing to speak up when they hear or see nasty ideas arise or get enacted in their communities of men. If we create a culture of shame around these behaviors, we can help make a serious dent in street harassment, sexual assault, and domestic abuse.

– SF

Location: Philadelphia, PA

I was stuck next to a man on a crowded bus for 10 minutes who kept making comments about my appearance. He said I should fill the world with babies. “I will, sir, and I’ll fire them out of my vagina like a t-shirt cannon,” I thought. I very briskly walked back to my apartment when we both got off at the same stop. Ick.

– Anonymous

Location: Seattle, WA