“I Called Out A Street Harasser And Got Called a Fat B*tch.”
Location: 32 bus stop on Lafayette Park
Time: Night (7:30pm-12am)
Coming home from work on a Sunday a group of three young men (between the ages of 17-21) got on the bus a few stops after I did. I did not pay too much attention to them because groups of young people getting on the bus is a normal occurrence on that line.
When the bus stopped at Lafayette Park (in front of the White House) the young guy sitting in front of me noticed a very good looking girl, about his age, on the bus stop. He proceeded to knock on the window and blow kisses at her, from her reaction (turning her back against the bus and walking away from his line of vision) I could tell that she felt uncomfortable. This is the exchange that followed:
Me: You shouldn’t do that. Women do not appreciate being harassed.
Boy: I know.
M: Then why did you do it? If you think a girl is attractive you should be a man and politely tell her instead of harassing her and making her feel uncomfortable.
B: You don’t understand.
M: Clearly I do not. Please be a man and start treating women with respect.
B: I know, I do it for my own satisfaction (WHO says this??!?!?!?)
M: From what you just did and said, to rape is a fine line. Please respect women.
B: Shut up you fat bitch
I can’t believe this young man believes he is not only entitled to harass women on the streets but insult someone else in the process. To say that he does not care, that he did it for his own satisfaction was a very scary thing to hear coming from someone his age. I feel sorry for the women that have to interact with him on a daily basis.
Emphases by CASS.
Submitted 7/24/13 by “A.”
DC’s Lafayette Park, located in front of the White House
Do you have a personal experience with gender-based public sexual harassment or assault? Submit your story to help raise awareness about the pervasiveness and harmful effects of street harassment. All submissions are posted anonymously unless otherwise specified.
If you experience or have experienced sexual harassment on the DC Metro system: Whether the event is happening at the moment or occurred months ago, we strongly encourage you to report to Metro Transit Police (MTP): www.wmata.com/
If you need assistance in coping with public sexual harassment or assault, please contact the DC Rape Crisis Center (DCRCC) 24/7 crisis hotline at 202-333-RAPE (202-333-7279).
