I walked from my apartment to the Safeway a few blocks away. I was new to DC, had only lived there a few weeks at the time. I walked past a group of men who made comments and gestures towards me. I was very aware of them and crossed to the other side of the street at my first chance. One of them followed me into Safeway and asked me what he could do to get a girl like me. I told him I was just trying to buy some things and didn’t know. He followed me up and down several aisles. I finally called my boyfriend so it would be clear that I was on the phone and someone would hear me yell if he tried anything. I left the store without buying what I needed and walked home. Took a route that was twice as long but didn’t force me to walk past the group of men again. I don’t live in DC anymore.

Submitted on 7/16/12 by “effie”