“I Should Watch MY Language? More Like You Should Stop Harassing Women!
Location: 12th and Maine Ave SW
Time: Daytime (9:30am-3:30pm)
Street harassment has happened to me before, but I have been lucky to experience it rather infrequently. I’m not sure if it’s due to my naturally assertive walk or that I’m somewhat oblivious to guys yelling out of cars, or some other factors I don’t know of. Regardless, no one deserves harassment and no one can completely prevent it unless they never go outside.
I was heading back to the office after grabbing some take-out lunch at the fish market in SW. As I was leaving the turnaround to get to the sidewalk, a man in a car pulls in to the fish market parking lot behind me with his window rolled down. He proceeds to say, “Hey sexy, turn around for me mamasita.” I admit I didn’t have the best reaction, but it definitely felt good to have a go to response besides telling someone to f* off. I yelled, “Don’t harass women, asshole!” to which he responded, “You should watch your language.” He should watch his.
Emphases by CASS.
Submitted 7/30/13 by “z.”
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).