Tag Archives: leering

Stalking & Leering on the Redline: “Metro needs to step up security on train cars”

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Location:  Metro: Redline to Glenmont
Time: Night (7:30pm-12am)

I got on at Gallery Place toward Glenmont. Just before Judiciary Square a I noticed a man staring at me with a very angry glare. I was very uncomfortable and I was questioning what was going on with him so I moved to what I thought was out of eye contact range. He managed to move a few seats down and continued to look at me as though he was angrier. He seemed to be mid-40′s, receding hairline. I tried not to make eye contact too long so that was all I could get.

At Union Station I changed cars. He was in the previous car but moved to the window to continue to glare at me FROM THE OTHER CAR. I moved down again. I got off at Rhode Island avenue, he got off too, but I jumped back on.

He did not sexually harass me but the anger and the intensity was clearly about intimidation. Please someone must demand that metro step up security on the cars. These are really sensitive situations and I doubt a phone number would have been useful, in fact I am certain that if I had stared at him any longer to get his description, I would have been in a particularly dangerous situation.

Emphases by CASS.
Submitted 4/12/13 by “AD”

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.

“I put my head down, broke eye contact & hurried my pace”

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Location: 12th & D Street SE
Time: Daytime (9:30am-3:30pm)

I was literally just walking back from the CVS when I thought I heard someone call my name so I turned around. I then saw that the “holla” was coming from a guy in a car who was driving slowing behind me. And now that he realized he had my attention he rolled up next to me as I continued to walk and began making “kissy noises” and saying that I was “hot” and should “show him a good time.” I immediately realized my mistake, and quickly put my head down, broke eye contact, and hurried my pace. After less than a minute of ignoring my harasser he finally sped off and left me alone. I hate that as a woman I need to deal with this bullshit on a regular basis.


Submitted on 7/13/12 by Anonymous

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

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.

Leered at & catcalled on the way to work

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Location: Wilson & North Lincoln (VA)
Time: Daytime (9:30am-3:30pm)

I was walking to work at the nearby yoga studio. I have to cross through the 7-11 parking lot to get there, and one day this taxi driver was standing outside his cab. He just kept staring at me and then said “hello beautiful,” or something to that effect. When I didn’t respond, he said loudly, “damn, that’s cold!” I walked quickly to get inside the studio before he could say anything else. And while I’ve certainly experienced worse, I didn’t like that it happened during the day.

Submitted on 7/13/12 by Anonymous

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

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.

Shape or Size Doesn’t Matter

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Last Thursday night, I was meeting a friend for a movie at E street and had to change to the red line. I was walking towards the metro platform at Chinatown when I heard a sort of clicking/sucking noise coming from behind me (sort of similar to when someone makes a “tsk” noise with their tongue and their teeth).
I turned around to find a man leering at me, smiling with an open mouth. Annoyed and grossed out, I walked on.

What was more infuriating was when I got to the movie theater, and shared my frustrations with my friend. At first, he seemed to sympathize but then asked, “So what, was he gross or old? What did he look like?”

I was so annoyed that I just stared at him. I tried explaining that his appearance didn’t matter. I wasn’t annoyed because of how the guy looked; I was annoyed because I was harassed and can’t do something like go on the metro without being bothered by a stranger.

I’ve heard this argument many times, that women are only offended when the harassment comes from a man of a certain stature or appearance and are flattered when it is a young, attractive man. I have been harassed by men of all shapes and sizes. Guess what? Every time, I feel grossed out, irritated and belittled.

Location: Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro

Time of harassment: Night (7:30P-12A)

Do you have a personal experience with gender-based public sexual harassment or assault you would like to submit? Just click here and fill out the online submission form. All submissions are posted anonymously unless you specify.

Harassed on my Run

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Photo by timtak via flickr

Yesterday afternoon I was going for a run in a my neighborhood.  I noticed a guy who kept circling back on his bike to leer at me. Then he stopped and just sat there and stared as a ran down the street.  I wasn’t about to stop in the middle of my run to say anything so I just kept going.  He went on his way and left me alone for the rest of my run.

Submitted by anonymous on 2/3/2011

Location: Mt. Pleasant

Time of harassment: Day Time (9:30A-3:30P)

Do you have a personal experience with gender-based public sexual harassment or assault you would like to submit? Just click here and fill out the online submission form. All submissions are posted anonymously unless you specify.