“I Almost Cried Out of Frustration, But I Also Felt Proud That I Said Something Back.”
Location: Cathedral and 28th Streets NW (Woodley Park)
Time: Daytime (9:30am-3:30pm)
I was waiting to cross at the edge of the crosswalk. Due to someone parallel parking to my left, a moving truck coming from my right had stopped in the intersection, just before the crosswalk, to wait for the person to park so he could have room to drive his truck through.
He stared at me and smiled, with the window rolled down, and at first I ignored him, waiting for him to drive by so I could cross. Then he yelled, “go right ahead baby. I want to watch you.”
I said “GO” and kind of gritted my teeth. He laughed and shrugged and said “what? I just want to watch you!” I yelled at him to “just GO” and finally, he did.
I was disgusted. I almost cried out of frustration, but I also felt a little proud that I had said something back to him instead of just crossing and feeling totally violated as he watched.
Emphases by CASS.
Submitted 8/14/13 by “KW.”
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/harassment or 202-962-2121. Reporting helps identify suspects as well as commons trends in harassment. Recommended tip: Program MTP’s number into your phone so you can easily reach them when needed.
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).