Location: Chinatown, Washington, DC
Time: Evening Rush Hour (3:30pm-7:30pm)

It was the weekend of Aweseome Con, which is like a Comic Con, so my friend and I were both in costumes. I was Batgirl, and she was Catwoman. This one guy started harassing us right at Walgreens at 7th and H ST NW, and we were walking to Matchbox. He kept yelling “Batgirl and Catwoman, can I have a picture with you?” I told him “no,” and to go away.

I started digging in my purse for my pepper spray, and he then started charging at me saying I had a gun. So a group of people on the street encircled me for protection, which was so nice. We got in to Matchbox, and I called the dispatchers at DC on 911. The respondent didn’t care what happened and asked for no description. It’s getting bad; He was dangerous.

Submitted 6/10/15 by “Batgirl.”

Do you have a personal experience with gender-based public sexual harassment or assault? Share 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. You can 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).