Stop Street Harassment

Making Public Spaces Safe and Welcoming

“The worst thing for me was that I was 14 when this happened”

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I was walking back from my library volunteering job.

It was in summer so I had a loose top on (yes I know there is no need to include that).

As I turned the corner onto the high street, I saw a dodgy looking car with a load of shirtless guys inside. I knew they were going to be trouble so I stayed on the other side of the pavement and looked down. That didn’t stop one of the guys whistling and another guy going “wooooooooo”.

I walked quickly with no expression on my face.

Unfortunately I was being picked up off that road so I couldn’t leave as quickly as I would have liked.

The worst thing for me was that I was 14 when this happened. I do look mature for my age, but it’s still not alright. I was left feeling really insecure as it was the first time it had happened.

It also made me feel it was my fault for walking down *that* street at *that* time wearing *that* one piece. I then felt guilty about not saying anything as they went on to do that to other girls, which weighed me down.

So overall, while it may not have been the worst street harassment, I was still very young and already struggling with my mental health.

It should not happen in our modern society and this toxic behavior being forced on young teenagers who simply can’t cope. Thank you for reading my story.

Let’s make this a punishable crime as the lasting health impacts are inexcusable.

— Anonymous

Location:

Local street, England

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.

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Street Harassment Round Up – June 21

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Stories:

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.

  • On this blog, women in Chicago and Hawaii talk about being fed up by the volume of street harassment they face on a daily to weekly basis.
  • On HollaBack Toronto, a contributor wrote a post about having a TTC subway employees flirt with/harass her when she was paying her fare. The Director of Corporate Communications for TTC saw the post and wrote to HB Toronto with information about how passengers can file complaints about employees. This post was followed by one from another contributor telling about a time a TTC employee made her feel uncomfortable and unsafe. Harassment on public transportation is global!
  • On Holla Back NYC, a contributor tells about getting oogled by men at a community pool, but they complained to the pool management and then men had to leave.
  • Holla Back DC! has a contributor post from a woman who was asked “how’d you get that cute ass” by a man who then turned very angry when she asked him not to harass her.
  • Two years ago Blank Noise Project asked readers to submit their list of things they wished they could do in their city (for example, smile when they wanted, not have to think about who’s watching them, be able to go out at night and be safe…) and this past Saturday afternoon, they invited people to come to Cubbon Park to live out their wish list, including wearing something they wished they could wear but never had for fear of harassment.

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