Tag Archives: indecent exposure

Sexual Harassment & Assault at Home & Work: “I was attacked twice in three days.”

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Location: Petworth and Logan Circle; on the street and also at my place of work.
Time: Evening Rush Hour (3:30pm-7:30pm)

I was attacked twice within 3 days. On Sunday evening around 7:00 pm I was walking home from the bus stop in my neighborhood when a man started following me. He was yelling at me angrily, telling me that I better come back and that it might be worth my “money” if I did. He then he chased me to my apartment and came right up to my window, luckily I got inside. When I yelled out the window to tell him to leave me alone he got insanely angry and screamed, “Don’t you tell me what to do!” and punched my window, shattering all of the glass. This was in broad daylight in front of people sitting outside.

Then this past Tuesday, after taking Monday to recover from what had happened on Sunday, I was working at my job as a manager at a clothing store. While watching over the dressing room a man who I thought was just trying on jeans asked me to use the restroom. I noticed that he was standing in a strange way next to the dressing room curtain, and even though I told him I would show him where the bathroom was he just kept asking me more strange questions. At this point I started to become afraid. I asked him if the jeans had worked out and that’s when he turned toward me completely revealing his aroused genitals.

After my situation the previous Sunday I was beyond hysterical. Any sense of security that I had before has been completely ripped away from me and I am afraid to leave my apartment.

Obviously police reports were filed for both incidents, but that doesn’t make me feel safe to walk the streets day or night. Both incidents took place during daylight hours and in front of people. These men simply did not care. I am getting mace registered with the police department today and am thinking about leaving DC. Nobody deserves to live their life afraid.

Emphases by CASS.
Submitted 5/1/13 by “AP”

NOTE FROM CASS: 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).

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.

Yet Another Case of Targeted Public Exposure – Not once, But Twice

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Location:  New Hampshire Ave & Quincy NW and New Hampshire Ave & Taylor NW (Petworth)
Time: Morning Rush Hour (5am-9:30am)

This morning, I was walking to the Georgia Ave metro station around 6:30 am. I noticed a man pass me on a bike while I was walking south down New Hampshire Ave. When I got to New Hampshire and Taylor, he was standing on the sidewalk next to his bike, facing away from the street. As I approached, I noticed he had his penis exposed in his hand. I was shaken, but I walked by without reacting or making eye contact. I then saw him ride by me again on his bike and assumed it was over. But when I got closer to the metro, at New Hampshire and Quincy, there he was again, standing next to his bike, waiting for me, again with his penis out. This time I looked him in the eye and said, “Fuck you”…he didn’t say anything, but slightly smiled.

After I got on the train I kept thinking about how I’d reacted. I was afraid I’d given him the satisfaction he was looking for by making it clear he’d upset me. I thought about other things I could have said, more effective ways I could have shamed him for his behavior or reminded him of my humanity. I thought about who I could tell about this incident who would listen without implying that I was overreacting—after all, I never felt physically threatened— or implicitly suggesting that for some reason it was my fault. Even people who loved me—my parents, my boyfriend— I was afraid would just admonish me for walking alone at a time when the streets are relatively quiet. I thought about my clothes…I was headed to the gym and wearing shorts for the first time this year, embracing the recent heat wave. I wondered if it would have happened if my legs, my flesh, hadn’t been so visible. And the fact that I thought about all of these things made it clear to me that despite my self-proclaimed feminism and best intentions, I have internalized the victim-blaming narrative.

This is not the first time this has happened to me, and it won’t be the last. I hate that I’m resigned to that. But I feel lucky that I do have people in my life to whom I can turn. The one friend I’ve chosen to tell so far provided unconditional support, reminded me there’s no “wrong” way to react, and directed me to both this website and the WMATA Stop Harassment Campaign to report what happened.

Sharing my experience is important. This campaign is important. Thank you for creating this space.

Emphases by CASS.
Submitted 4/11/13 by “Aleta”

Street art put up by CASS in the Farragut area.

 

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.

Violated on the Metro: “I blamed myself for wearing snug pants. When, I got home I threw my entire outfit in the trash.”

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Location: Metro - Yellow Line Train to Huntington
Time: Evening Rush Hour (3:30pm-7:30pm)

As I type this, I am searching for words to describe what happened today on my commute home, but I’m going to do my best.

I was taking the Metro home like I normally do, and when I go off at the Chinatown stop to switch to the Huntington train, while I was listening to my podcast and waiting for the next train I felt a man behind me and what I thought was the corner of his bag on my behind. As I got on the crowded train, I noticed he was behind me again, the corner of his bag bumping me. I felt uncomfortable so I scooted up a little but I noticed he scooted up too.

By the next stop, a seat became available and I quickly sat down. He sat down next to me. I didn’t think anything of it until I glanced to my left and there he was pleasuring himself right in front of me. I was speechless. I didn’t know what to do. I looked at him through sunglass covered eyes and he stated right back never once stopping what he was doing. This shit was NOT ok.

I repeated in a quiet voice which got louder, “This man is exposing himself to me!” A woman standing near our seats heard me and frantically began to ask other passengers for the metro police number. The man kept on stroking while they searched for numbers and I sat there with tears of embarrassment and anger rolled down my face.

As we approached the Pentagon I called the metro police but I was unable to get a signal so the operator did not hear me. The man pushed past people in the crowded car and make an exit, I stumbled off the train nearly missing my stop and I stood on the platform crying. I have never felt so powerless in my life. I was violated and there was nothing I could do. The man was gone. Disappearing into a sea of people.

On my ride home I tried to shake it off, but I couldn’t. I blamed myself for wearing snug pants. Maybe I should had a longer coat on. Why was I the target? What made this ok to happen to me? Will I ever ride the Metro again? I’m just full of anger and sadness. When I got home I threw my entire outfit in the trash, and took a long shower which I spent the majority of the time crying hysterically.

I won’t let this ruin my weekend, but I can’t pretend I’m not hurting tremendously. For any of my readers in the DMV the number to call for Metro police is 202-962-2121. Save this number in your phone, as the poster with it is not in every car. With that being said, a glass of wine and mindless television is in order….and definitely some therapy on Monday.

Emphases by CASS.
Submitted 4/8/13 by “Jennifer”

In April, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority launched new ads on sexual harassment & assault on public transit, including this ad on public exposure.

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.

It can happen if you’re 20 and in a mini skirt, or if you’re “an old lady wearing an old winter hat.” And it’s not OK.

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Location: Orange line near Virginia Square stop
Time: Daytime (9:30am-3:30pm)

Christmas Eve 2012 I boarded the train around noon to meet a friend in DC. The car was nearly empty when a young man sat in the seat directly behind me. I felt that was odd. I looked out the window to see if I could see who was behind me. It was a young man with his head against the window as though he were sleeping. I told myself to relax but there was a gnawing feeling. Then the man moved to the seat next to me increasing my alertness. He then moved to the seat directly in front of me…the one that faces into the center of the train.

Public masturbation is a crime.

I became quite concerned and noticed his hand in his coat pocket. Being shortly after The Connecticut shootings, I was concerned that he had some type of weapon and I was planning my calm departure from the situation. He and I were the only ones on that half of the train so I was going to walk past him to the other half where there were a few passengers. But next thing I know he unzips his pants and masturbates in front of me. I quickly got up and went to a door and to the station manager. He originally hopped off the train, but must have gotten back on when he saw me leave.

What was amazing to me was my emotional reaction. I hung my head in shame as I told the station manager what happened. I was angry…at me because I questioned my reaction…at him because he fit the ugly stereotypes I’ve fought against….at men because they so casually violate women. I questioned why some young kid would do that to me…an old lady by their standards (50) dressed plainly wearing an old winter hat. I then belittled myself because I didn’t even know if I had a right to my reaction, after all he didn’t touch or threaten me.

I asked my friend to meet me at the station and we traveled downtown together. He was very compassionate and we discussed the emotions and the wrongness. I’ve read many of the stories here and it’s good to know that others have similar feelings.

Emphases by CASS.
Submitted 3/29/13 by “LK”

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.

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

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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”

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.