I’m not sure why I care. As a woman, I’ve grown accustomed to various forms of unwanted attention, scratch that, harassment. I tend to shrug it off, ignore it or make a joke out of it.

Tonight, he yelled something about my appearance and said I needed a dick in me. I hadn’t even made eye contact. I was minding my own business waiting to cross the street. It isn’t the first time and it won’t be the last time. Since middle school I’ve heard sexually directed comments. It’s always f- this, f-that, I would or wouldn’t f-you. Ah, gee thanks. Does it matter what I do or don’t want?

I’ve endured stares. Been grabbed, groped. Had lewd comments and gestures directed at me. I’ve witnessed public masturbators. Men driving in cars have honked at me or pulled over asking how much? And before that question comes up, it happens no matter what you wear! I know prostitution exists but this isn’t some example of mistaken identity when you’re wearing a parka. I’ve reacted. I’ve not bothered to.

Today, I pretended I didn’t notice. I hate to admit I noticed. I can intellectualize why it happens. I can understand the concepts of aggression, power and a culture that devalues women. I can also believe I’m a human and deserving of better or, can I? After tonight, I’m feeling like a reflection of a human being. As if I should be grateful that at least I wasn’t grabbed. Worse could have happened. I’m not sure how I can care. I’m not sure why I care.

– Anonymous

Location: Canada

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

I was walking home at night with my friend after seeing a movie and we passed two boys on the opposite side of the street. For reasons known only to them, they felt it was ok to scream across the street at us and make many derogatory comments regarding my appearance and body. The comments were extremely hurtful and whilst I didn’t feel like I was in danger, I was very upset afterwards and enraged.

I wanted to respond at the time that it happened, to get angry but because it was night-time I didn’t for fear that the situation would escalate. I wish the comments they made about me being ugly didn’t bother me, but they do. That’s why I’m sharing this story, because I am sick of feeling like shit because of catcalling.

– J

Location: Albury, NSW, Australia

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

One time I went for a run and half way through it, a man on a bike decided to follow me. He slowed up behind and me and whistled and sped up to be beside me. He was telling me horrid things that I didn’t even try to remember. I told him to leave me alone and he wouldn’t.

He followed me for a whole city block. I took a sharp turn and crossed the street. I went up to two gardener workers and asked if they could call the police. The man was still following me. He was trying to cross the road, but it he had to go over a traffic island. He almost made it over, but he saw that I was pointing at him and trying to call the police. He darted away on his bike. I walked home.

He was making comments about my body and I was just trying to run and be fit…which is one of my favorite things to do. I stopped running outdoors. I stopped running because I don’t ever want to experience that again.

Another time I was on the bus. I was speaking on the phone as quietly as I could to my little sister because I wanted to be a respectful passenger. I don’t see her often and I was catching up with her. A man comes on the bus and sits in front of me. While he was taking his seat, he turned his head back to smile at me. I felt like this was not going to go well. He whipped his head back every now and then to smile at me, making me uncomfortable more and more. I asked my sister to check the bus times for me online, because I planned on transferring to another bus and she was telling me the times. The guy in front of me turns his head back and he is about to tell me something. I was annoyed at this point and angrily asked, “Can I help you?” He said he was going to tell me the bus times. I told him that he was making me uncomfortable every time he looked back to smile. He said he only did it once (not true). I told him it was creepy and he stood up so quickly and so close to me. I thought he was going to hurt me, but he shouted that I wasn’t attractive and went to the back of the bus. I didn’t take the bus again at all that week.

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

Public ads that tell people not to street harass.

– L.L.C.

Location: Cicero and Forest Park, Chicago

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

I was 14 years old and I was at my local library. It was a hot day so I had a short t-shirt on and leggings, but you couldn’t see my butt or my boobs. I was just sitting there, reading a book when two teenage boys (maybe 17-18 years old) approached me and started to have a conversation with me. At first it was basic questions, if i had a boyfriend, how old I was, etc. I felt already really uncomfortable and after a time I didn’t respond them anymore and just ignored them.

They got angry then, started to yell at me that I was a bitch, that I surely had a nice pussy and that they would f*ck me on the bathroom floor. It was terrible. I couldn’t answer, I was so scared they would actually hurt me. Luckily the librarian noticed what was going on and sent them away. I don’t know what would have happened otherwise. Still, I left the library feeling dirty and scared.

– S.P.

Location: Local library

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