stalked Archives | Stop Street Harassment

I’m 12 years old, and I’ve been catcalled numerous times, but this one is the first time it happened to me; I was in Taksim, a popular place for tourists in Turkey with my older cousin. A man was walking behind us, but it was daytime, crowded and everyone was walking at the same direction. So, I didn’t think much of it. I didn’t even notice him.

Then, I saw an interesting event so I turned around to record it. As I grabbed my phone, the guy (presumably in his 20s) whistled and winked at me. I’ve never been catcalled before, so I felt really scared, vulnerable, and small. Really, really small. I’m a strong, athletic girl, even compared to some adults I know, but when I was going through that, I felt so vulnerable. I’m only 12! What if he pulled out a knife? What if he drugged me? He continued to follow us for 10 minutes straight.

I didn’t show that I was scared, but it really struck me. I knew he couldn’t do anything, there were too many people around, but I couldn’t help but feel threatened. I was paranoid he was going to drug me since he was walking behind me. Since he followed me inside a few shops, I knew this wasn’t just an ordinary catcall. This guy was up to something, so I spoke out, “Can you leave me alone?” I said (in Turkish).

He laughed, blew me a kiss and left. I was so anxious the rest of the day. I didn’t make eye contact with anyone. Even though it wasn’t physical, it still affects me to this day. I’m still getting honked, barked at by guys in cars passing by at night. I really feel small and vulnerable, I might be strong compared to my peers, maybe I might be able to run away or defend myself, but it still gets me shaking whenever it happens.

Everything about rape, violence, kidnapping that I’ve seen or read just comes to my mind. What if I become the victim? What will they do to me? I can’t walk comfortably at night (or day) anymore and fyi, my clothing wasn’t even revealing. Maybe it showed my curves a little, but that still leaves them no right to commit these predatory actions.

I feel a little better when I see women fighting back against street harassment, it really helps me. But still, I feel uncomfortable around grown men.

– Anonymous

Location: Taksim, Turkey

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.

When I was twelve, a man who lived down the street started following me to and from school, when I lived in Dawson Creek, BC. He would tell me that he missed ‘seeing my pretty face’ and that he wanted me to ‘come and visit him sometime.’ When I refused, he started stalking me.

I told my mom about it, and she told me it was my own fault for not being street smart enough. So I just tried my best to avoid him until I was old enough to move to a different city. In the six years that he harassed and stalked me, I suffered panic attacks and constant fear. My grades suffered, and I was eventually expelled from school.

I remember running from him one day after school, how he chased me through the trees beside the school. I was lucky that I was a fast runner. I was terrified, but I was also so ashamed. I felt like it was my fault, that if I was somehow smarter, or less pretty, this wouldn’t be happening to me. It wasn’t until later that I realized that the only reason he did this to me was because I was a girl.

– anonymous

Location: Dawson Creek, BC, Canada

Share your street harassment story today and help raise awareness about the problem. Include your location and it will be added to the Street Harassment Map.

“I feel uncomfortable around grown men”

Stalked since I was 12