***TW*** Sexual intimidation - To think that this is what almost every woman goes through.

[PurplePink45]

Just watching the documentary on the Kevin Spacey allegations.

Watching a man talking about how scared and intimidated he felt, how he felt so uncomfortable being around him and wondered what he did to deserve this unwanted attention.

I had empathy for the man but I wish all of the men watching would understand how often that happens to women and not just once in a lifetime, but multiple times from a very young age (preteen).

I want to say this is our norm and it bloody well shouldn't be!

For me it was:
Age 12, 2 boys in my class at school touching my breasts and putting their hands up my skirt.

Age 15 A boy being pushing about wanting to kiss me even though I said no.

Age 16 A man at work in his 60s trying to cop a feel/touching me inappropriately and making me feel intimidated.

Age 18 Being rescued by my male friend as a boy tried to persuade the very drunk me to go further than I wanted to and not taking no for an answer.or picking up the "no" signals like moving their hand off your breasts.

Feeling intimidated multiple times by men hooting me and wolf whistling/inappropriate comments from men when walking the streets.

And many, many other acts of male sexual intimidation since then.

I just fucking remembered that in primary school in year 6 when the girls started changing separately....these 2 boys would go to the girl's bathroom to see them in their underwear.

I haven’t “been around very few men,” even comparatively speaking. Like…I live in the real world and go places, obviously. Shopping, large cities, other countries, people’s houses.

I just…I don’t know, I don’t run into creepy guys, somehow? I don’t know why.

I don’t have any experience of it, though. I believe you - why is it hard for you to believe me?

Hugely lucky!

It was so incessant I can’t imagine never having experienced it. My teens already have 😢. Lucky you!

It’s not generally been my experience either.

It started during my first term at a new secondary school aged about 12. I had just moved to the area and was quite shy but also looked older than my age . 3 boys ( one in particular) would touch me ,make loud comments about my breasts and other unpleasant comments especially in sports lessons. I suffered in silence but took it to mean that I was doing something wrong.
There were several other incidents over the years but I felt like it was something I had to accept.I thought it was different nowadays but obviously not. It made me feel ugly and very anxious.
Years later I met one of the boys who appeared to be under the impression that I had been aware that they all fancied me!
Years later ,in my fifties in a new job, a male colleague made a horrible comment about me ,in front of several staff. I had no compunction in pointing out his own short comings in the looks department.

But someone took me aside and started making excuses for him.
You just can't win sometimes .