Written by: Madeline Barrasso, MPH
We quickened our pace, walking arm in arm as we walked home from the bar that night. My roommates and I went for a nightcap at our local spot and walked along the empty street like it was any normal night. Except for this time, we were being followed.
The man following us was about 12-15 paces back, close enough for us to hear the catcalling through his slurring speech, but far enough for us to be safe if we needed to make a run for it. When I turned around to look at him, he didn’t seem threatening- only a few inches taller than myself and stumbling slightly. He was clearly drunk, but it didn’t change how his words affected me.
When I moved to Boston, I was told that I should never walk alone, in fear that I could get mugged or taken advantage of. I always carried mace in my bag and had 911 on my speed dial, just in case. However, no one teaches you how to respond if you experience or witness street harassment. The only advice I had received over the years was to simply ignore it, and eventually, it will stop. But sometimes, it doesn’t. Sometimes, he will continue to follow until you are forced to walk into the local 7-11 because it was open and there were witnesses in case he tried something. Thankfully, he chose to continue walking down the street and we were able to make it safely back to our apartment, just a little shaken up. I started to blame myself: why did you walk down that street? Why didn’t you bring your mace? Why did you wear makeup that night? (if you know me, I rarely wear makeup in the first place)
Once I had time to process this experience, I wasn’t scared, I was angry. I was angry that this man felt that he could take my power from me and get away with it simply because I am a woman. I was angry at the fact that he will not experience any kind of punishment for his words, only if an action were to take place- only if there was proof. After that night, I made it my mission to share my story with friends because my experience that night was not rare. The more we talk about our experiences, the more we realize just how often street harassment occurs on a daily basis.
After sharing my story with a friend months later, she introduced me to the NYC-based organization, catcallsofnyc (@chalkbackorg, @catcallsofnyc). This organization exposes cases of street harassment experienced by people across the globe through the power of chalk and an Instagram account. catcallsofnyc shares these stories because people need to understand the gravity of the words and actions done. While nothing is done to punish the offender, we have to carry this weight with us for the rest of our lives.
I share my story because I want to create change in the lives of those who are the perpetrators or those who have fallen victim to street harassment. Together, we can work towards eliminating street harassment, one person at a time.
If you have had a similar experience to the one you read above, please know that you are not alone. If you are afraid to speak up, that is ok. Just know that if you do, we are all in this together.