flis wrote:
It's not even that we worry we're going to be raped every time we step outside the front door; it's the fact you know you're going to have to put up with uninvited shit from people just because you have tits. Maybe they think they're being nice and you should be grateful for the comments but the moment you acknowledge them is the moment it could escalate into something else - not rape necessarily, which I think would be a rare escalation from daytime street harassment like that - but still comments or actions you don't want.
Anecdotally, I have been groped by complete and utter strangers probably around 6-10 times. I have been groped by men I know well enough to say hello to easily twice that amount. I have been sexually assaulted twice and one of those times was by a random stranger. I have been called beautiful, told I have beautiful eyes, have a beautiful neck; I've had people try to kiss me and more before calling me a fucking ugly slag because I rebuffed their advances. I've had people tell me I have nice tits or a nice arse, been called a milf, had men shout "shows us yer tits", had random cars full of boys beep and shout when I've been out walking. Been called ugly or a fat bitch/slag/slut just for walking past. What I have learned from all of this, is that unless you are in immediate fear of for your safety, you ignore it, you keep your head down and keep on walking. The second I have ever engaged anyone, the more uncomfortable it gets and a lot of the time, you just get abuse for it. And you know what? I just wanted to go to Boots to buy hand cream, or have a walk because I'm feeling unfit, or have a night out with my friends.
Now I'm not a girly girl; I'm not beautiful or even above average attractiveness, and I'm 32 years old. I'm 6' tall so taller than most of the male population, I'm not a waif I'm not dainty yet men still do all of that. Regardless of what time of day it is. Regardless of what you wear. I see gorgeous, slim, petite girls walking around by themselves or in small groups and I wonder how much shit they have to put up with.
When I'm out walking around, day or night, I'm looking to avoid going near groups of more than 3 men and trying not to make eye contact with anyone, especially men.
All of it and more.
ElephantBanjoGnome wrote:
Can I ask, did you report any of these incidents to the police? It's sexual assault for even the most basic grope.
Given the process involved in - and the ridiculous lack of support for - reporting something like rape, how seriously do you think they're going to take a woman who reports being catcalled, or having their arse pinched, etc?