Stop Street Harassment

Making Public Spaces Safe and Welcoming

Bookstore Masturbator

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I was reading an atlas at the bookstore and as there was only a bench (no tables/chairs) i was sitting there, bending down over it to read it. I noticed a funny rattling noise, ignored it, noticed it again and realised an old man was masturbating behind an open newspaper. I went to get my brother and informed him that we were going to leave immediately. It is nauseating that some simple cleavage in a top that, when i put it on, made me feel good-looking and confident, can compel dirty men to break the law. I stopped wearing that shirt out. I wish i could say that if it happened again I’d call the police or at least store management but the shock of it will probably just make ME leave rather than “make a fuss.”

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Kiss His Ass?

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A few years ago, I was walking past a bus stop when an elderly man said hello to me. I DO NOT say hello to unknown men when I’m alone in public because I feel it opens the door for them to say anything they want to me, so I just walked past this man without responding. He stood up and yelled after me, “Fuck you bitch! Kiss my ass!” I was really embarrassed because everyone within earshot turned and looked at me as if I had really insulted this old man.

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Looking for escape routes

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Walking alone on my University’s campus is sometimes difficult. Especially during winter months when there is rarely anybody out and it’s dark most of the time. I feel the need to walk fast, to wear my hair short and in a pony tail and to walk in open spaces where I can see my surroundings. I find that subconsciously I start to look for escape routes, meaning that if I have to run, where will I go? What door will I knock/pound on? What restaurant, other establishment will I run to?…

-anonymous from street harassment survey

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Studying abroad with street harassers

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I’m in a different country for grad school now though, and it seems it’s the culture to honk/comment/making “calls” at any young female, so I’m going through it again, and no measures seem to work. It irritates me a lot to the extent that I don’t go jogging/running outside campus, and don’t even walk if I can help it, but it seems all females here go through it, so I’m probably being overly sensitive due to previous experience.

-anonymous from street harassment survey

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