Do you think it's ok to touch pregnant womens bumps? (TW Sexual assault)

[SunflowerOwl]

Curious if people think I'm being precious or not.

I'm 28 weeks and just started to have a proper bump and a few friends and relatives have touched/rubbed it and I hate it so much. It makes me so uncomfortable, like I just want to make my excuses and leave.

I experienced sexual assault when I was younger and I'm aware I have some body issues because of it but I'm not a very assertive person so havent felt able to speak up and ask people not to touch me. Plus the concern that I'm just overreacting.

A male relative did it today and I honestly wanted to get as far away from him and everyone as I could afterwards.

So do people think this is fine or not?

nope

once an old lady I know from church walked up to me, put her hand on my tummy and asked "so how old is this one?"
I said 41.
🤣
she didn't quite get it. so I helped her along by saying "I'm not pregnant again, just fat".
the weird part is that she carried on resting her hand on my belly for a few more seconds.
🤔

if I had been pg and didn't know her I would've slapped her hand away though.

I’m curious to the divide between men and women. A few people are mentioning women doing it when I’d assumed it’d be mostly men.

@NinaMimi

I’m curious to the divide between men and women. A few people are mentioning women doing it when I’d assumed it’d be mostly men.

I had never had a man wanting to touch my bump (without asking or being offered to do so). ever.

women on the other hand....all the time!
but there was only ever one stranger, I knew everyone else and only a few would dare without asking first if I was ok with it!

I think this might be a good Covid side effect - if you're not comfortable saying 'don't touch my bump' then you could try 'please can you socially distance'. No-one should be touching anyone without clear consent at the moment.

And just so you know, I haven't been pg for 16 years and remember having exactly the same conversations then - I hated people touching my bump. I'm up the duff, not public property.

I remember a similar thread a while back and a poster recommended stroking the person's belly back - maybe you could try that and make some comment about their belly while you do it. It might remind them that they are violating your personal space and cause them some embarrassment.

Of course its not ok. If i saw a fat woman in home bargains I wouldn’t go up to her and oaf her belly.

Its the same with hair. I have lots. And its bouncy and curly and i have swiped a hand away for touching it.

PAT not oaf🤦🏽‍♀️

@MrsDThomas

PAT not oaf🤦🏽‍♀️

oaf is better though!🤣

No-one should be touching anyone without clear consent at the moment.

Nobody should be touching anyone without clear consent anyway, regardless of COVID.

I'm glad everyone is in agreement that I'm not being precious. I'd never dream of touching another womans bump either! Sorry to everyone that has to put up with it as well.