park

Anna

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I was doing a workout in a public park when a man began yelling about my “nice ass” from the complete other side. He kept going on about my body and my exercises while the many park-goers (sunny Saturday in London) stood witness. Rather than continue to be publicly harassed in this way, I yelled back for him to stop, adding my own profanities. Unsurprisingly, he didn’t stop at my request, but he did stop when my husband returned from running a lap around the park shortly after. The man must have found his courage in thinking I was a lone female. When I later ran a lap and went past him, he said nothing. But the next time my husband ran past him, he apologised to my husband.

Anna

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I was doing a workout in a public park when a man began yelling about my “nice ass” from the complete other side. He kept going on about my body and my exercises while the many park-goers (sunny Saturday in London) stood witness. Rather than continue to be publicly harassed in this way, I yelled back for him to stop, adding my own profanities. Unsurprisingly, he didn’t stop at my request, but he did stop when my husband returned from running a lap around the park shortly after. The man must have found his courage in thinking I was a lone female. When I later ran a lap and went past him, he said nothing. But the next time my husband ran past him, he apologised to my husband.

Emma

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I was walking through the park and noticed a figure behind a tree. At first I thought it was a couple making out but soon realised it was a man who was probably urinating or touching himself in public. He saw me and shouted at me. He said, ‘Hey beautiful. Hey sexy. Hey Sharon’. That’s not my name but he just picked a random woman’s name. I ignored him and started to walk a bit faster to get way from him. He then laughed wildly, like a Disney villain laugh, and shouted ‘Are you going to run?’. I was so concerned by him and made to feel vulnerable, but also hugely angry that he knows exactly what he is doing. He knew what he was doing was making me feel unsafe, and yet he finds this funny. It’s not funny. It took away my enjoyment from walking around the park and makes me question every time I want to go for a walk again.

Walking at night

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I love walking in cities, especially at night. But every time I come back from a friend’s place and it’s dark, I ask myself : Do I take the short way through the park or do I walk 5 more minutes to be in more crowded streets where I feel safer? I once got called a slut several times by a group of guys because I wouldn’t talk to them. There was no one else in the park except for an old man a few meters away. Usually, I still take the short way but the closer I get to the park, the more cautious I act. I always feel very angry to have to ask myself this question when a guy wouldn’t.

Karen, Brighton UK

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Walking my dog in the local park as a group of children and mid teens – all boys – are led in a kick-around on a football pitch. The ‘responsible adult’ in goal yells “Chris, Chris, if you score I’ll buy you a prostitute for your sixteenth birthday!” I’m the only person around and obviously in earshot. As a middle-aged woman I am presumably invisible. To their credit the children do not laugh at this witticism.

maria

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I’m in my early-thirties and took-up jogging a few years ago. In the first couple of months as i was jogging in the park, (probably not even jogging, but just going very slowly and out of breath!) a group of teenage boys on their bikes cycled next to me whistling and commenting on my body. I was startled and really annoyed by this and responded back to them telling them to f-off and leave me alone! Immediately they reacted by calling me a fat b***h! I finished my run and they were still at the park so i went up to them and gave them a piece of my mind. It just amazed me that whilst I was just a “passive” woman running in the park, I was “game” for harassment, but as soon as I spoke back and tried to protect myself, I was “demoted” to a fat b*tch. For a while it made me conscious and think twice about running in that park, but I eventually just resumed as normal and the group never bothered me again. Running for a few years now, not out of breath any more 🙂 I found out it’s something that happens a lot on streets and in public parks in London in broad daylight, and I deal with it by wearing headphones, listening to my favourite music and blocking everything out. Men and boys (!) still definitely think they own public space and the women in it, but I sure as hell wont let it stop me from doing what i love!

inanna

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I was hanging around in the park with my friends. And I spot some of the boys from our school; they were playing football. So I decided I wanted to join, so me and my friends went to the pitch. But as soon as I took a step inside, they assumed I was flirting or just wanted to watch them play. Surprised a little, I told them i wanted to play. They laughed, and told me to go home. I felt left out, hurt and unwanted.

Grace

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I was walking with my friend and it was just a normal day. And i got cat called. Again. I find it is only when i wear tight fitting tops that this occurs. Pisses me off so much.

LC

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Today, I experienced beauty standards firsthand. A guy walked up to me and told me I was too sweaty. Now, let me clarify: it was 90+ degrees out and I was working out outside in a park. And he still took the time to tell me I was too sweaty, because for some reason women aren’t supposed to sweat or have other basic bodily functions.

Anonymous

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When I was 5 or 6 I was skipping from my house to the small park which was right next door in my neighbourhood. A man probably in his 20’s to 30’s came up to me, took my face in his hands and kissed me on the lips. I was so ashamed I only told my my mom about 2 years later when we moved. Also, not long ago, I was walking casually in the street when an elderly man in his late 60’s called me over. From what I understood he needed help crossing the road so I approached him and he held his hand out for mine in the manner of a hand shake. When I took his hand to shake he pulled my torward him strongly and tried to kiss me, I pushed myself away from him and walked away. I’m 18.