Carly’s Story: I avoid walking alone in the dark and sometimes feel nervous in the day

I am a 27 year old women and cannot count the incidents of harassment I have had to deal with In Birmingham. The first from around the age of thirteen to today. These range from men shouting out of cars, one car even following me all the way home shouting abuse. I’ve also been followed on 8 or 9 occasions when walking alone. The most recent time this happened was on a busy road, the man was stood on a corner with his hood up, and leered at me as I walked past. I had a feeling that he would follow so I crossed the road to see if he would. He did so I crossed over again and stopped. I was so scared I just stared right at him from across the road, he stared right back. At that point thank god a police car drove past and I flagged it down, the man ran off. This was right outside my flat but have never seen him again. I was also groped by a man on a bus when I was sixteen (when I was sixteen I looked about twelve) The bus was full, but nobody did anything to help, just looked away. I called my dad and then man got off at the next stop (but groped his crotch in my direction as the bus pulled off)

To be honest I avoid walking alone in the dark and sometimes feel nervous in the day, I know I walk around with a look that says “do not try to talk to me” so now get the occasional “cheer up luv, it might never happen” : )

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