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AIBU?

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Street Harassment

38 replies

Gallstoned · 28/01/2025 19:36

AIBU to think the vast majority of teenage girls have encountered some form of minor (or major) street harassment whilst they are still at school.

I talking about on a train or walking down the street, unwanted staring, comments, unwanted attention from adult men.

I definitely did, as have my DD's.

Is this unusual or very common.

YABU - Neither me or any of my friends encountered unwanted attention from men when we were still at school (under 18)

YANBU- I have or my friends encountered unwanted attention from men whilst we were under the age of 18.

OP posts:
Hollybelle83 · 28/01/2025 22:36

Yes unfortunately. To almost every female I know.

stormacoming · 28/01/2025 22:21

Totally. Several times I also gave short shrift to grown men leering at my dd when she was about 14.

Gallstoned · 28/01/2025 21:33

BareWallsNoMore · 28/01/2025 21:29

When I was a student (16 or 17) I got a holiday job in the local 5 star hotel. I was meant to be covering reception. The manager said he had ripped his trousers and could I sew them. I lied and said I couldn't sew. Left and never went back. WTF.

yuk!

Totally about power and control.

Well done for getting the hell out of there.

OP posts:
BareWallsNoMore · 28/01/2025 21:29

Didn't happen in the street obviously but this thread just reminded me of it.

BareWallsNoMore · 28/01/2025 21:29

When I was a student (16 or 17) I got a holiday job in the local 5 star hotel. I was meant to be covering reception. The manager said he had ripped his trousers and could I sew them. I lied and said I couldn't sew. Left and never went back. WTF.

Gallstoned · 28/01/2025 21:24

@JazzyJelly
me neither.
Funny that.

This happens so often when a young girls is alone or with other very young girls

OP posts:
JazzyJelly · 28/01/2025 20:58

Gallstoned · 28/01/2025 20:23

@JazzyJelly do you think it's a power thing?

I've never had it happen while walking with either a man or my German Shepherd. Even when I was a very short, slight teen, it didn't happen with my (then) GSD.

Gallstoned · 28/01/2025 20:23

@JazzyJelly do you think it's a power thing?

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JazzyJelly · 28/01/2025 20:21

I'd be astonished if it wasn't all girls (purposely saying 'girls' because thankfully the older I get the less it happens, and school uniform was by far the biggest trigger for this behaviour apparently).

Gallstoned · 28/01/2025 20:13

That's so grim @MrsMalaga sorry to hear that.
My DD's had a man leer and follow them down the road when they were 11! They took refuge in a shop but were quite shaken.

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MrsMalaga · 28/01/2025 20:00

Very common and clearly the men who are doing it know that the girls are under age. My daughter and her friends experienced it particularly when they were 14 and 15 - eg some horrible incidents such as men coming up and asking if they could unzip their hoodies to let them see what was underneath. So totally sleazy and I wish it was easier to have men prosecuted for this kind of behaviour.

Gallstoned · 28/01/2025 19:58

10 out of 10 so far...depressing

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Gallstoned · 28/01/2025 19:41

I think it is hugely common and intimidating. Why do men do this?

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