I was sitting reading a book on the train on my way back from school. This guy came and sat across from me and asked me what I was reading. I showed him the cover but didn’t reply, I just kept reading. He tried again, “You seem really interested in it.” Again, I ignored him and kept reading.

Not getting my attention, he tried another tactic. He placed his backpack next to me, boxing me in close to the window and spread himself across the whole seat in front of me. He moved his leg to touch mine. I moved my leg. He moved his leg again to touch mine. Again I moved. Again he moved his leg, and by this time I was scrunching myself into the corner. I was afraid to say something even though there were other people around. I froze. I just wanted to get out of there, so I gave him an angry look, put my bookmark in my book, stood up while holding my backpack and went to a different part of the train.

I saw a guy look from the man who harassed me, to me, then back to the guy. I think he saw what was happening but didn’t know what to do to help. I was so scared and angry and nervous that I was shaking when we reached my stop. He stood to get off at the same place. I stopped the closest normal-looking man standing up to exit the train. “Excuse me,” I said, “see that guy over there in the red and white striped shirt?” He nodded. “He is kind of harassing me. Can you keep an eye on him for me?” He nodded and we all got off the train. I walked to the indoor train station coffee shop and sat to wait until my brother could pick me up. I was still so scared. Turning my back to that guy to walk away terrified me. I hate feeling unsafe. That guy robbed me of my feeling of security. I cried for 20 minutes when I got home. I scrubbed and scrubbed the part of my leg he touched and immediately put my pants in the laundry. I felt like burning those pants. Nothing helped. I am dreading taking that same train again tomorrow.

Optional: What’s one way you think we can make public places safer for everyone?

Stay aware of what is happening around you. If you see somebody making advances, speak up! You never know when someone is too scared to do it themself.

– Anonymous

Location: RTD train in Denver, Colorado

Need support? Call the toll-free National Street Harassment hotline: 855-897-5910

Share your street harassment story for the blog.
See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for ideas.

I was walking my dog in the park, just the usual timing, usual route. However, because there was ongoing construction nearby, it meant that there would be a lot of foreign workers there. (My country hires lots of foreign workers to construct buildings and stuff.) So anyways, I was turning back, ready to go home when suddenly a huge group of foreign workers appeared and started walking towards me. I had lots of bad experiences involving them before, but this time was different as they were in a huge group. Like 20 people. So I tried pretending to text and stuff. When they came nearer and nearer, I got more and more uncomfortable and afraid.

One of them dashed to the front of the group and started whistling loudly while the others just laughed behind. I continued walking. Unfortunately, my attempts of trying to ignore them were in vain as I still heard them speaking in their language and laughing as they walked past me. I didn’t look at them as I was really afraid they might do something to me. After they walked past, I felt really, really upset and disgusted. The feeling I felt made me sad, boil with rage, disgusted and suicidal even, all at the same time. I was on the verge of tears.

On my way back home, I was so angry I couldn’t help but plot revenge on them. Of course, I knew deep down I couldn’t do anything to stop them. I could only wait for the construction to be finished so they would leave the area. This wasn’t my first time getting cat-called. But I don’t feel comfortable keeping quiet this time. I am sitting on my balcony typing this when the feeling is still fresh. I really hope no one has to experience this heart-crushing feeling.

– E

Location: A park in Singapore

Need support? Call the toll-free National Street Harassment hotline: 855-897-5910

Share your street harassment story for the blog.
See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for ideas.

This creep followed me as I was exiting the subway and tried to block me while using words that even I don’t say….so when he went up the stairs I took the elevator. I got to street level and he blocked the elevator and wouldn’t let me out, wouldn’t let the doors close, so I took his picture. He tried to get in with me and I managed to run out under his arm (thank goodness I am short!) and ran for subway steps. He followed, and spit on me (good aim unfortunately). He followed me to CVS, and them ambled away to harass the next woman. The entire time, of course, he was laughing, cursing, harassing, and I was trying to just get away from him. The rest of the pedestrians just stood by watching even though I asked them to call the police a few times. I got the police to come a few minutes later and they said the could and would do NOTHING. He is not free to harass, intimidate, and spit on other women.

– JD

Location: 14th and 8th Ave. in Manhattan

Need support? Call the toll-free National Street Harassment hotline: 855-897-5910

Share your street harassment story for the blog.
See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for ideas.

Last night I walked to my boxing class one street over from my house. I crossed the street right at my house and two teen boys repeatedly called out to me – loud and at least 20 times. They then started to say, “Bend over and back that up” as many times as they had previously called out to me. I ignored them the whole time. They then started to say, “You with the red bag.”

At that point I started to get scared because I thought they might come after me. I ran through the shortcut to the next street. On my way back home, I walked home on a busy street in case they were around. When I told someone about it, they said I should drive to class from now on. WHY should I have to change my routine when I did nothing wrong???? I’m 46 years old, btw.

Optional: What’s one way you think we can make public places safer for everyone?

I have no idea. When I told some people they said “good for you” until they heard how it had escalated with what they were saying. Some people see it as a compliment. It’s not. It’s scary and you never know when verbal harassment could turn into an assault.

– Anonymous

Location: Canada

Need support? Call the toll-free National Street Harassment hotline: 855-897-5910

Share your street harassment story for the blog.
See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for ideas.