Stop Street Harassment

Making Public Spaces Safe and Welcoming

“It was one of the most terrifying experiences of my life”

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I have loads of experiences like this, unfortunately. Once I was waiting for my bus at 6 p.m. when an older man approached me. He started making disgusting remarks about me and I tried to ignore him. He then grabbed my behind and started to feel me up. I was 13 years old back then, and it was one of the most terrifying experiences of my life. I shouted at him but no one helped me.

More recently I was followed when I was walking home. The guy was shouting demeaning things and I was very scared. This is not cool, it should end now!

– Anonymous

Location: United Kingdom

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“The only thing they ‘respected’ was if I was the property of another man”

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Riding a city bus in Rome, I was rubbed against from behind by a man.

As with many other people this has happened to, I thought he needed more room, so I moved forward. He moved with me. This went on until I was right behind the driver.

Then I’d had more than enough. When he pressed against me again, I turned to face him & said loudly & very sternly, “Move it or lose it!!” I was a bit taller than him, so I was right in his face, scowling.

I don’t know if he understood English or just the threatening tone, but he moved away & left me alone. I was disgusted that he’d touched me like that, but proud that I made him back away.

Other times riding the bus (I was there as a college student / tourist for 2 weeks) I was approached & bothered by men and even teenage boys. I found the only thing they “respected” was if I was the property of another man… I bought & wore a cheap “wedding” ring for most of my trip. I didn’t feel too good about it – esp. since they weren’t respecting me but some fictional non-present male – but at least they left me alone with no work on my part.

– MKEgal

Location: Rome, Italy

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Man harasses, follows woman and her 8-year-old daughter

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A man slowed his car to follow me & my daughter (8 yrs old) on foot. He followed us for about a block yelling out his window that I’m sexy, I need to give him my number, at least my name, just hop in & talk to him for a little bit….

My daughter was obviously confused & uncomfortable, but I ignored him hoping she might think he wasn’t talking to me. I have a history of sexual assault & was merely focusing on controling my senses so that I wouldn’t dissociate. Then he pulled up into the driveway in front of us, cutting us off & yelled at my daughter: “Your mom is a fucking bitch-cunt-whore” before leaving in a fury. My amazing daughter yelled back that he was a stupid jerk & pulled me off the sidewalk, toward the park nearby where there was more people on foot.

Now, even though my only “invitation” for such threateningly creeptastical behavior was to fearfully ignore his graphic catcalls, the other family nearby looked at me instead as if I had caused the entire interaction & they held their children closer as we walked by. I do recognize the difference between a glance of disgust and a glance of pity. They directed their blame at the wrong person, just like when a rape victim is told she shouldn’t have gone out or she shouldn’t have worn a V-neck shirt. A more appropriate response would have been to ask if we’re alright!

My daughter asked me what the man’s words meant & why did all of that family look so mean at us. I told her there are no good answers to those questions. I told her I wish I’d been strong enough to tell him to go away when he first opened his mouth because following us was illegal. She said she knew I was scared because my hand was shaking in hers & that she would always be my hero when I need one.

We wanted to walk to the police station but we couldn’t remember what color the car was or any other details. We agreed that next time we would just tell such a person, “You’re breaking the law” & then we would tell them what they look like so they would know we would remember them.

– Tiffany Brown

Location: Small town outside of Syracuse, New York

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“One of them reached out with both hands and clamped them onto my breasts”

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I was out running in clapham, London one day. Not one for Lycra, I was in a baggy t-shirt and my rugby shorts, pink in the face and sweating away. Nobody could say I was asking for attention but attention I got when I encountered a gang of young men who blocked my path and refused to let me past. I had my headphones in and couldn’t hear their words but their expressions spoke volumes. I could see they were posturing for each other. I was merely annoyed until one of them reached out with both hands and clamped them onto my breasts. I had to actually grab his wrists and yank his hands off to break free.

I would never have considered myself a timid person but in this case I turned on my heel and sprinted back to where I came from. It was the middle of a sunny Saturday in an area of posh housing. The only way to avoid an incident like this appears to be to lock yourself away and that is completely unacceptable. I am a structural engineer who works with mainly men but none of my male friends would object to something being done about this. My dad has offered to buy me a cattleprod.

– Anonymous

Location: Clapham, London

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“Why do women have to go through this kind of harassment?”

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I was traveling around France and stopped in a place outside Lyon to visit a friend. As I was waiting for a bus on the side of a road a car stopped and got near me as if to ask directions. I was new to the area, but I thought I could somehow help the driver. When I leaned near the window he was masturbating himself openly and he obviously wanted me to see it. I moved back disgusted and angry at my own kindness. I was disgusted and shocked and I told my local friend about it.

This was about 15 years ago and obviously I haven’t forgotten. At the time I didn’t think too much about it afterward, but I now think, why do women have to go through this kind of harassment? I don’t think men ever think about these things, this would never happen to them, how could they understand? It’s time to change this.

– Angeles

Location: Lyon, France

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