This was at a workplace conference hosted by a top International firm. As an ice breaker task in a room full of thousands of people we were asked to turn to the person next to us and hug them. Hmm. That was weird for a completely British audience. I was on an aisle seat and so had to turn to the person next to me. For context, I had noticed this guy before during a group activity – he had made some overtly misogynistic comments;the kind of person you feel quite repulsed by without necessarily getting to know them better. I remember at the time I felt really angry but given the situation it was hard to ask him to justify his comments. So, I was not particularly forthcoming with the hug, and hesitantly positioned myself for an air hug. He launched at me and positioned his arms behind by back so as to squeeze my breasts against him. He held on for that minute too long (after the other attendees had pulled away). It was such a small event, but I felt violated. I wanted to push him off me and felt disgusted afterwards. No one but me an him knew that I felt this way, outwardly it was such a normal action in the context. The next time I saw him during the week long conference I crossed the road to avoid any interaction.
