Stop Street Harassment

Making Public Spaces Safe and Welcoming

We'll see how YOU like it!

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I was walking to the train one evening when a teenager on a bike rode up behind me and smacked my butt so hard he nearly knocked me over. I was stunned for a second – it really hurt! – then when he turned around to grin at me I just started yelling at him and chasing him. Everyone on the street stopped to stare at me like *I* was the crazy one, running after this guy and screaming, “Get back here, I’ll smack your ass, we’ll see how YOU like it!” and things to that effect, but who cares. The guy took off at top speed and probably thought twice before doing it again.

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We’ll see how YOU like it!

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I was walking to the train one evening when a teenager on a bike rode up behind me and smacked my butt so hard he nearly knocked me over. I was stunned for a second – it really hurt! – then when he turned around to grin at me I just started yelling at him and chasing him. Everyone on the street stopped to stare at me like *I* was the crazy one, running after this guy and screaming, “Get back here, I’ll smack your ass, we’ll see how YOU like it!” and things to that effect, but who cares. The guy took off at top speed and probably thought twice before doing it again.

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Telling Off Construction Workers

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I told a group of construction workers that I used to walk by every day on my way to school that I’m not their dog to whistle at, and I angrily stared at one of them in the eyes to let them know I was serious. When I did that, they were shocked; I guess they had never gotten that kind of response before.

– anonymous

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Groper on Wall Street

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I was walking to work on Wall Street, it was a crowded narrow sidewalk. I noticed that someone hit me almost right between the legs. I thought it was strange but could have been an accident. I didn’t see exactly who it was. A few mornings later walking to work it happened again, this time i knew it was no mistake. This man was walking to work and grabbing women’s vaginas on his way. I started screaming at him. Calling him a freak and pervert. People were staring at me yelling at this huge man dressed in a suit and tie. It’s no longer the route i take. I still think of going back and waiting for him but this time i would be ready to take a picture. I also carry mace. I felt so angry after i had been violated. I seriously wanted to injure this man. I hate him and he makes me sick. It’s scary he was doing this to a grown woman of 27 years. It’s hard to imagine he’s not doing it to young girls on the streets.

– anonymous story from my street harassment survey

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Stalking

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January is Stalking Awareness Month. Most people who are stalked know the person stalking them and the average duration of stalking is 1.8 years.(1) Here are helpful resources: http://www.stalkingawarenessmonth.org/resources.

Brief stalking by strangers in public is also a big problem and one that is very scary for the women being followed. I’ve read close to 200 stories involving women being followed and stalked in public by strangers, including the following two stories:

“I was stalked by a strange man one day in a shopping center, when I was out with my friend. He would just appear in front of us several times, leering at us very aggressively. I started laughing because I was so nervous, and we entered a store and asked for help from the woman clerk. We called my friend’s mom as soon as we were in the store so she would pick us up as we were afraid of staying in that mall.”

“I was once followed home from the subway by two men making sexually explicit comments and suggestions. I ignored them until one grabbed me from behind, at which point I turned around and started to scream profanity at them. That convinced them to leave, since it was crowded. No one came up to offer assistance, or see if I was ok afterward, and I felt ashamed that people saw it happen.”

Have you ever been followed or stalked? If so, how were you able to get away? Do you have any advice to share?

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