Making Public Spaces Safe and Welcoming
I pass a group of boys on the way to school every day who yell curses and slurs at me. They get louder when I ignore them. I’m thirteen.
– Anonymous
Location: Decatur, GA
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.
Recently, as my friend and I walk to my apartment, I noticed a man standing in the corner of the block. I was extremely uncomfortable because he glanced at us-specifically, me. He whispered something to me, but I was unable to hear it because of the noises around the neighborhood. For a second, I thought that it was probably my imagination, only to realize the man was following us as we walked around.
I began to walk gradually slower and make a random excuse that I needed to enter a pharmacy. However, the man simply slowed his steps and walked ahead, while I explained that we were being followed. As we continued to walk slowly and cautiously, the man began to turn around and walk toward us, whispering obscene, unwanted sexual remarks as he walked past us. Honestly, it was a disturbing situation, seeing that he was middle-aged adult and my friend and I are still teenagers. Unfortunately, because I live directly in front of the site, we hurriedly ran into a nearby supermarket, waited for a while for our other friend, and left through the other exit.
This was one of the few times I have experienced street harassment. This experience, however, left me agitated. I was appalled by how someone could even consider making unwanted advances, especially how someone could follow someone and make them worried to simply go outside.
Also, I think it’s important to remember that street harassment does happen simply because one is wearing a provocative attire, as others had claimed numerous times. That day, I have returned from school, still clothed in my gym uniform that consisted of a simple t-shirt and sweatpants. Honestly, I was a mess that day, exhausted and having my hair fly around from the wind. However, regardless of what someone wears, people should never feel uncomfortable walking around.
– Anonymous
Location: Manhattan, New York City (The Lower East Side)
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.
I was fifteen years old. I was running outside alone on the street in a sports bra, without a shirt on, because it was hot and I have problems running in the heat (even a light tank top makes a difference). I was being stared at by many middle aged men and once I was honked at by what looked like some twenty year old guy in beat up truck. I was appalled because I clearly look like a fifteen year old and he had to be twenty. I ran with my shirt on for the remainder and ran slower so I would not get too hot. I had to sacrifice my run for these men.
Optional: What’s one way you think we can make public places safer for everyone?
I have no clue. We now will have a bad role model for president. If Mr. President can “grab people by the pussy” then what is stopping other men?
– SW
Location: Longboat Key, FL
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.
I was walking to school, and when I was nearing the bottom of a hill a construction worker looked at me, smiled, and as I passed he told me I had “No where to run.” This type of thing had never happened to me before,it was the middle of the day. I love walking to school but I don’t know when I’ll be comfortable with it again.
Optional: What’s one way you think we can make public places safer for everyone?
Maybe get into the habit of reporting people instead of just letting it go because the persons “a jerk who won’t actually do anything”.
– Anonymous
Location: San Francisco, a block from Lombard Street
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.
I was 12. I was walking to church on my own since I lived only two blocks away. I was wearing my best church dress, a very modest but beautiful black dress, and I was excited to see all of my friends at church. When I was about to walk through the parking lot, an older man grabbed my arm and told me that I was beautiful and that he wished there were girls as beautiful as me back in his day. At the time I said thank you politely and walked away, but it took me a while to realize how creepy it was that an 80 year old man had stopped a child to say that he wished I could have lived in his time. I also realized that I could have been in danger if I had responded negatively because of the tight grip he held on my arm.
I am 17 now, and I have been cat called more in my life between the ages of 10-14 than I do now, which is terrifying.
Optional: Do you have any suggestions for dealing with harassers and/or ending street harassment in general?
Be assertive, look for people around you and call to them for help if needed.
– Anonymous
Location: Outside of my church
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.