Making Public Spaces Safe and Welcoming
One time when I was fifteen years old, I was walking to home when suddenly men started to follow me. I was very scared and I didn’t know what to do. I was alone and nobody was there to help me, so I tried to run away from the guy, but he passed beside me and spanked me. When I turned to say him something, he ran away and I was so angry.
– Anonymous
Location: Mexico
Share your street harassment story for the blog.
See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for more idea.
“A San Francisco man who tried to intervene when his friend was being harassed was stabbed with a kitchen knife Wednesday outside a grocery store in the Mission District.
The victim, age 30, had just exited the store about 4:30 p.m. when he saw an apparently intoxicated man harassing his female friend, a store employee. The suspect, a 57-year-old man also of San Francisco, was being “vulgar and rude,” said Officer Carlos Manfredi, a police spokesman.
The 30-year-old told the man to knock it off, Manfredi said, and the two got into an argument, which soon turned physical.
The suspect pushed the younger man and stabbed him several times in the leg and upper torso, then ran away, police said.
Paramedics arrived at the scene of the stabbing near 14th and Folsom streets and transported the victim to a nearby hospital. His injuries did not appear to be life-threatening.”
I’m grateful he took a stand and I wish him a speedy recovery.
It’s so hard to know what is the “best” way to respond to harassment one experiences or witnesses, we have a split second to decide. You never know when it may escalate.
Hi. When I walk by a house in my hometown the guys inside catcall when I’m alone but hide inside like cowards. Since it’s a public side street near the train station, I want to ask the harassers to come outside so I can tell them to their faces that their calls are unwanted. I would prefer to avoid getting the police involved but they may have to interpret.
– Anonymous
Location: Bound Brook, NJ
Share your street harassment story for the blog.
See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for more idea.
While walking to the store, a man yelled out from a passing car, “Goddamn bitch, you’ve got a fatty!” I tried not to think about it afterwards, but it is still in my mind a day later.
I feel angry, disrespected, and wonder if there is a way to avoid it. Like maybe I shouldn’t wear the jeans I was wearing. I’ve put on a little weight, and my jeans fit tighter. I don’t want to be harassed just because I can’t afford to buy new clothes. I feel angry and frustrated. All I was trying to do was have a pleasant walk, get a little exercise, and enjoy the day. Maybe, he was trying to compliment me, but it made me feel awful.
– Anonymous
Location: Columbia, South Carolina
Share your street harassment story for the blog.
See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for more idea.
Between my best friend’s house and mine there is a building under construction. Whenever a girl passes by, the workers shout and catcall her. That happened to me a few times and it happened to a lot of other women. We live pretty close so I normally walk there daily, and it’s also my way to class. One day I realized the men recognized me as they knew I passed by everyday generally the same time and I started getting scared. Since then, I’ve asked my best friend to pick me up when I visit him and to go to class. I was never catcalled again. My best friend is a guy. I guess they respect the man who is with you.
– Anonymous
Share your street harassment story for the blog.
See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for more idea.