No, You CANNOT Touch My Body: “I shouted back at vulgar street harassment.”

Posted on May 9, 2013 by renee

Location: Columbia and 18th St NW (Adams Morgan)
Time: Late Night (12am-5am)

I was walking next to a male friend of mine and coming from the other direction was a man stumbling a bit was walking straight towards me and I could tell he was going to say something to me. He said to me as we passed each other “Let me suck your pussy.” I screamed “shut the fuck up” and as I walked by I heard a couple “ohs” in surprise from other men on the street.

I usually don’t say anything but must have felt safer since it was a crowded street and I was next to a male friend.

Emphases by CASS.
Submitted 5/7/13 by “SBS”

Street harassment is just that – harassment.

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).

My body is NOT public property: “I was sexually assaulted while standing outside a bar in Admo.”

Posted on May 2, 2013 by renee

Location: Chief Ike’s; 1725 Columbia Road NW (Adams Morgan)
Time: Late Night (12am-5am)

I was standing outside with my friends outside of the bar and a man came back and smacked my butt. I was frazzled and wasn’t sure what to say but said something like “hey, you can’t touch my ass.” He kept walking and looked back smiling/laughing at me.

Groping is a crime. My body is NOT public property!

Submitted 4/29/13 by “SBS”

Public masturbator in Adams Morgan: A crime or just “something inappropriate?”

Posted on March 4, 2013 by renee

Location: Klingle Road, NW (Adams Morgan; between Adams Mill & Connecticut)
Time: Daytime (9:30am-3:30pm)

Was walking with my roommate (both of us are young females) in broad daylight on Sunday afternoon (March 3rd). We were walking to Mt. Pleasant from Cleveland Park on Klingle Road. Just off the sidewalk and in the woods of rock creek park (about 20 feet away from us) was a man publicly masturbating. Pants down at his ankles, full exposure. He made direct eye contact with us, and his expression spread into a creepy grin while his hand continued to quickly stroke his dick.

We called 911, because in the moment, we were so shocked and couldn’t think of where else to report this. After a 7-minute conversation, the police agreed to dispatch a car. Really? It’s probably too late for that and we did NOT stick around to keep an eye on the guy. The dispatcher asked me for a description of the man, which i gave to him. He then repeated the offense to me (after i very plainly explained the situation w/ graphic details) by saying “Ok, there’s a man and he’s doing something inappropriate. Can you repeat the cross streets”. Really?! “Something inappropriate”… sigh.

No wonder so many crimes like this go unreported. They’re not taken seriously.

Emphases by CASS.

Submitted on 3/3/13 by ”CS”

“The bouncer at the door just laughed.”

Posted on November 13, 2012 by renee

Location: Grand Central, Adams Morgan
Time: Late Night (12am-5am)

I was out on Halloween night at Grand Central with some friends. A middle aged man started following me through the dance floor asking me to dance. I refused politely but he grabbed my arm so he could continue trying to “persuade” me. I pulled free and waited for my friends by the door. On his way out to leave he stopped in front of me and started saying something I couldn’t understand, then when I looked down at my phone, he kissed me on the lips and ran out the door.

Grand Central bar, located in Adams Morgan, NW DC

While I was standing there looking shocked and disgusted, the bouncer at the door just laughed and said “is that how you roll?”. To add insult to injury, on the way home a man passing me on the sidewalk asked: “Can I lick your pussy?”

Submitted on 10/26/12 by “APL”

If you experience or have experienced sexual harassment on the DC Metro system:
Please consider reporting to Metro Transit Police: www.wmata.com/harassment; 202-962-2121.

“It was unsettling but I am proud that I still stood up for myself”

Posted on October 26, 2012 by julia

Location: 18th and Columbia NW
Time: Day Time (9:30am-3:30pm)

I was walking down 18th st. In Adams Morgan next to the suntrust across the street from McDonald’s. I was looking down at my phone trying to find some music to listen to during my commute. An unshaven man dressed in sweats and a baseball cap sitting on a bench told me,” you better look up girl so a man get can get some of that pussy.” Normally I freeze up in situations like that but for some reason this time I found my courage and said sternly, “don’t harass women, it’s rude!” I believe this man may have had some mental health issues because he started shouting and did not let up for a few blocks (I could hear him shouting as I walked away). He shouted things like, “you know you want it,” etc. etc. It was unsettling but I am proud that I still stood up for myself.

Submitted on 9/23/12 by JB