Being 12

I was a regular 12 year old girl who made movie plans with her friends. so i went to the mall with my dad to get the tickets. my dad said he would be waiting in the car for me. the mall happened to be really crowded that day. I was waiting for the elevator with like some 20+ strangers around me. there was a lot of pushing while getting in the elevator , and that's when I felt someone squeezing my butt. I was obviously shocked and numb . I turned around and saw a hefty uncle ...probably in his early 40's glaring at me with his red eyes. The elevator was so crowded and he stood right in front of me and didn't look away for even a second. that made me even more uncomfortable and I had no place to move. well in the next floor the crowd suddenly disappeared . And it was just him and me in the elevator...and luckily another man entered , which made me feel a little safe apart from the fact that this man shamelessly stood next to me and kept glaring at me. the minute i reached my floor i ran out and got my tickets and then i find him stand right behind me , still staring and creeping me out. I couldn't look at his face anymore and didn't have the guts to take the elevator so i rushed to the escalator and left the mall ,ran to my dad panting and scared. He asked me what happened but i couldn't utter a word . And now when ever i think of that day , i just wished i could shout out loud in that elevator , but again, i was just 12 !

Action Shero Anamika

Place: Navi Mumbai

Being 14

My first memory of street harassment was sometime in school when I was walking back from school and this random guy came and touched my boobs and by the time I realised what happened and went ahead to say something he had already got onto a bus from the signal.

Action Shero Anonymous

Place: Mumbai

Being 16

I was 20 and travelling by bus in Bombay and sitting on the aisle seat. This man who was looked like he was roughly 50-60 kept rubbing against my left arm. As soon as I realised, i looked up at him and he smiled. Initially, I put it down to 'the bus is crowded and its not his fault' but then it kept happening and began to feel really humiliated.

Action Shero Anonymous

Place: Bombay, India

Being 6

It was more or less 10.30 pm. After a well enjoyed family dinner at a restaurant my dad ,mom, brother and me were waiting at the bus stop. I was 6 or 7 years old. This drunk man started talking senseless stuff. Then Singing. Then approached mom and me. Dad Scolded him to go away. But he didn’t. He continued singing. He then put his right arm on mom and me. Dad rushed towards him within seconds and slapped him tight enough to have him turn around 360 degrees and collapse on the ground. Where he started abusing followed by some more singing. One of the other times which i will never forget, was around the same year. I was 6 or 7 and was boarding a very crowded bus with mom. Felt a grope behind. Turned and saw a old man, probably aged 50-55,looked at his hands and they were still around there. He gazed forward as if he is innocent. I did nothing, didn't even tell mom or anyone. I was young- and scared and probably embarrassed too. I will never forget these 2 incidents ever, its embedded in my memory. Probably because of being targeted at such a young age. Not only women, but also young girls face street sexual violence.

Action Shero Rachel

Place: Mumbai

Being 13 :

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This memory sticks out in my mind so much that I can't think of what came before that: I was 13 or 14 and at water kingdom wave pool in Mumbai when 4 men surrounded me and took turns pinching me - mostly my breasts. I was first shocked - then my reaction turned into panic as I realised I was in the deep end surrounded by sniggering men until a friend saw panic in my eyes and came to help me out.

We told my mom and complained to the security but nothing got done.

Action Shero Shivangini
Place : Mumbai

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