Lou Warren
When I was between the ages of 16-19(aprox 15yrs ago) I worked part-time on the checkouts at a large supermarket. To get between the staff entrance and the checkouts you have to go through the staff areas (quiet, non customer areas) near the counters. There was an older male that worked on the deli counters who was a friendly guy, always said good morning and asked how you were. We became friends enough to make small talk about what we’d been up to etc. Soon after that he would give me a hug after we chatted. I never had a problem with this as I’m a “hugger” myself. But within the space of 2-3 weeks (I worked 2 days a week) I found myself in the very uncomfortable position of this man now holding on to the hug and kissing me on my lips. I felt I couldn’t do anything to stop this and I had absolutely no idea if I could or who I could talk to. It went on for weeks and weeks until I left the job. I vividly remember one occasion when another male member of staff came around the corner and saw this man holding on to and kissing me. He just said “oh, ok” and turned around and walked off. I’ve never told anybody any of this before. Partly because how do you? And partly for fear of people asking why I didn’t do anything about it or why I let it happen.