Street Harassed in Petworth: “No, I DON’T want your number!”
Street Harassed in Petworth: “No, I DON’T want your number!”
Location: 9th St. between Hamilton St. & Ingraham St. NE (Petworth)
Time: Daytime (9:30am-3:30pm)
Walking along the sidewalk, coming home from buying catfood down in Petworth. I’m sweaty and disheveled and carrying a backpack. A man is standing near the gate to an apartment complex. He steps in front of me and just starts shouting: “Hey baby, you look beautiful, can I call you? Will you call me? Here’s my number. Take my number. I have it right here, take my number!” He does have it written on a piece of paper, and he tries shoving it at me. I’m smiling nervously and saying no, no, have a nice afternoon, no. Wondering how far away the next nearest person is.
He continues: “Oh c’mon baby, I’ll help pay your bills! You want anything? Wanna call me? Wanna go out sometime? You’re beautiful and I love you! Beautiful careless girl! Beautiful careless girl! Have a nice day!” As I walked down the street away from him, hoping he wasn’t going to try and follow me home.
I’ve seen this guy before, loitering on 8th. I wonder if he has some issues of his own? In any regard, he makes it scary to go get catfood on a nice day. When my partner’s with me he just stares, shouts “Welcome to the neighborhood!” once we’ve walked past.
Emphases by CASS.
Submitted 10/28/13 by “LG.”
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/
