Stop Street Harassment

Making Public Spaces Safe and Welcoming

I’ve never felt so clueless about handling harassment

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This is a follow up to “Have a nice day…you crazy bitch!”

I was walking my usual path to the bus stop this morning and saw the car that the men who harassed me last month used. I looked through my cell phone photos to compare it to the actual car, and sure enough, they’re one in the same. The things that aren’t clear enough in the original photo were more clear to me in person, such as a college decal on the top of the rear window, and an apartment complex parking tag in the rear window’s lower right corner. I took closer photos so I could have a clearer shot of the license plate and decals.

A rush of anger ran through me. I want to do something about it. I thought about printing up the original story and having it on me so if I were to see that car yet again, I could put it on their windshield so they know that their rude behavior is now public. I thought about getting someone involved, but who? Who would I talk to about this? Would I talk to Key Elementary and get them involved, since these guys park near them (I assume these guys work nearby, maybe in the Arlington County Building), or would they say it’s not their problem since it’s not technically on their property?

I’ve never felt so clueless about how to handle harassment before! And I’m glad it was only the car I’d seen today, and not the actual harassers. I don’t know how I’d feel if I ever ran into those losers again.

– anonymous

Location: Arlington, VA

Share your street harassment story today and help raise awareness about the problem. Include your location and it will be added to the Street Harassment Map.

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Weekly Round Up Feb. 28, 2010

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Stories:

I accept street harassment submissions from anywhere in the world. Share your story!

In the News:

  • A truck driver in Frederick, MD, harasses a girl walking to school by throwing rose petals and candy at her.

Announcements:

Resource of the Week:

  • Know your Power Campaign from the University of New Hampshire — it focuses on the power bystanders have to make a difference when harassment and assault is occurring.
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Bus stop harassment

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I was leaving an open stage I performed at regularly at about midnight. I had to wait for the bus, but I was on a well-lit street, so I wasn’t too worried. A car full of young men drove by. One of them hung his head out the window and yelled, “Hey slut!” The driver honked at me.

I gave them the finger. I was scared that they might stop and do something worse to me, but my pride won over my fear. They gave me the finger back and drove away.

– MH

Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada

Share your street harassment story today and help raise awareness about the problem. Include your location and it will be added to the Street Harassment Map.

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“Hey bitch, didn’t you hear what I said?”

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As I was walking home from school I passed by a liquor store. There were men hanging out there and they started whistling at me. One man called out excuse me miss. I continued to ignore him and he got mad at me and said, “Hey bitch didn’t you hear what I said?”

I kindly told him that I was on my way home and leave me alone. Then he started coming towards me like he was going to do something. I ran and he chased after me. I pulled out my cell and said, “Hey I’m going to call the cops you keep on fucking with me.”

Him and friends decided to leave. I told my dad and mom they told me I should have not said anything at all d kept on walking. Now I’m so scared. I try to travel different ways so I wouldn’t have to pass by that liquor store.

– anonymous

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Share your street harassment story today and help raise awareness about the problem. Include your location and it will be added to the Street Harassment Map.

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Weekly Round Up Feb. 21, 2010

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Stories:

I accept street harassment submissions from anywhere in the world.
Share your story!

  • On this blog, a woman talks about how early street harassment began and how she cranks up her ipod when she passes a regular harasser in her neighborhood, and a woman in Seattle, WA, shares the gamut of harassment she’s experienced.
  • On DC Hollaback! a harasser tells the contributor that she could “at least say hi.”
  • On Hollaback NYC a woman shares how she cannot leave her house in the Bronx without being harassed and another woman shares how a few years ago a man raped her and then she faced victim blaming from the cops.

In the News:

Announcements:

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