Racial discrimination on my way home, now scared to go out - please help.

[ForThisPost1]

NC because it is quite private and painful to write down.

I am a single woman from East Asia living in London. A homeless man, in his 60-70s, near where I live and work. When I walk passed him, he usually mutters something like "fucking XXXX(my ethnicity)", and I usually see them once or twice a month. This does not bother me much as I pity him and don't see him often anyway. However, on Friday evening, around half ten, I walked past him on my way home, and it was quiet, and only two of us were nearby. Maybe because no one was around, he just shouted, "You 'my ethnicity' cxxt", "so fxxking uneducated".

Two days have passed, and I am still in shock and scared of walking the same route, the only route home. I talked to my friends, which helped a lot, but this feeling is constant as it happened around where I live. I revisited the street corner on Saturday to get used to facing the same environment again, but I cannot lie to myself, I am scared of seeing him, and I don't know what to do.

I am writing this down for support and advice on handling this situation.

Thank you all very much.

Report to the police for a start.

I’m so sorry OP. I’m guessing the word he uses starts with a P?

Can you call the non emergency police and discuss it with them

Have you reported it to the police?

I'm sorry this has happened to you OP. Please call the police and report this awful man.

That's horrible for you.

That is awful and not surprised you feel worried about passing him again. Definitely report it to the police.

Report it to the police.

Police, definitely. I'm so sorry this has happened to you, it makes me rage 😠😠

Please go to the police op. I'm so sorry that happened to you.

I am so sorry that this has happened. You must feel so scared and intimidated. This is racial hate crime and needs to be reported.

How Horrible, OP.

Take a few deep breaths, recall as much as you can about his appearance and which places he hangs around, sound of his voice, any other characteristics, and call 101.

You are right to have pity for him as he is clearly homeless and of a disturbed mind. But that is also why you are quite right to feel very wary: disturbed mind and obsessive race based hate is not a good mix.

Are there shops that you are passing when this happens? I would step straight into a shop and say I need to wait here, I am being racially abused. When you call 101 they might tell you what to do.

I am so sorry you experience shit like this.

Thank you, your words made me in tears. I felt guilty and thought I should've been stronger but I just can not lie to myself.

For those who said report to police, how can I do that? Shall I go to a police station or call? Is it too late? I don't have a pic of him so what if the police asked my evidence?

Thank you again and your comments warmed/healing my heart. 😢

How awful for you I'm so sorry you've had to go through this. Definitely report him !!

Please don't feel guilty, you have done nothing wrong.

If you call the non emergency number and tell them what happened and where he usually is, I assume the police will come out and warn him about his behaviour. You are likely not the only victim of this guy.

Report him to the Police. In fact you'd probably be doing him a favor at least he'll get 3 hots and and cot.

I am also in a massive self-doubt. Do I look incredibly weak and an old homeless man felt that he can bully me? Do many people think the same as him but just yet to say anything to my face?

Nah , he's just a nasty fucker picking on someone he sees weaker than him
Doubt he'd shout that at young Asian body builder
Report him
It's not acceptable
I hope you feel better soon @ForThisPost1

Please do not doubt yourself. You put up with his comments for long enough. Please call the police. He needs to be dealt with. Call 111

It’s misogyny as well as racism. I doubt he’d speak to a man like that. Do please report it to the police.

Homeless people tend to be on some form of substances whether it’s drugs or alcohol. This added into possible mental problems means he wasn’t picking on you directly. You was just there at the time he needed to rage and unfortunately he took it all out on you. Then he noticed you was an easy victim and therefore carried it on.

It shouldn’t have happened and I’m sorry it did. Please do call 101 and just discuss it with them

@Soubriquet - thank you very much.
I called 101 this morning and been told to fill an online form. Will it be as effective as talking to a police officer over the phone? Thank you again.

It will be as effective yes

Nah, he was just a racist bully.

He mutters at me every time he saw me, it felt very targeted, as if he knows me. This made me very scared, thus the massive doubt about myself. It happens within a private estate (canary wharf), I am not sure if I should also report this to the estate management.

Yes, report it to the Estate Management. Tell them how often he is there. Is he living somewhere on the estate?