Help! Looking for Advice on Chronic Street Harassers in Columbia Heights

Location: 11th Street and Columbia Rd NW (Columbia Heights)
Time: Daytime (9:30am-3:30pm)

I live around the corner from a house in Columbia Heights that frequently has several men sitting outside who regularly catcall and street harass me and other women who walk by. Unless there are children or women outside with them, which seems to prevent the harassment, I try to remember to walk on the other side of the street to avoid them.

This Saturday, I walked by around 3 in the afternoon, thinking a bright sunny day might hold them back, and they said as I passed: “Nice breasts.” When I retorted in anger, they laughed and told me “not to be mad about something so nice.” I walked off furious and feeling impotent yet again as to what I could have done.

While this story is not especially terrifying, it makes me extremely angry that this is chronic harassment affecting my neighborhood and my quality of life. I am truly at a loss as to what to do, but this happens so frequently with the same house, it seems like something ought to be done. Any wisdom or insight would be appreciated.

Submitted 4/28/14 by “FJB.”

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