Being 12

I was going to my cousin's house for my summer vacation. I was in a bus sitting next to my uncle. There was a lady sitting in front of our seat. There was a guy standing next to her and was intentionally trying to lean on her whenever the bus driver was applying breaks. He was just exaggerating the inertia even more and was trying to rub himself on her. She was giving her looks after every gap of a time but he was pretending as if he was not doing anything. After certain time she stood up and went towards the front and was standing over there. That time I was young enough to understand these things but I couldn't say anything to that guy.

Action Shero Anonymous

Place: Bhojpur, Bihar, India

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 11

I was around eleven years old, shopping on Park Street, Calcutta with my mother. I was wearing light blue jeans and a over sized T shirt, when I felt a huge wave of crowd from the back. I felt trapped with people everywhere, there was no breathing space when I felt someone's hand very harshly pushed up against my lower back. I was alarmed I tried pushing myself away, It was a collective attack, I realized that there was more than one man involved so I pushed myself out and ran to my mother.

Action Shero Anonymous

Place: Calcutta

Being 6

When i was younger, I never fully understood the concept of religion or god. But i did like going to the vast temples in my hometown. There was always place to run around and always place to sit and play. I had a favorite temple - because it was quite, small and hardly anyone ever came there. I never imagined that, that would be a bad thing. On one of these occasions, i ran to the temple and there was a man there who I had never seen before. The priest wasn't there.He was sitting at the back side of the temple and when i got there he pulled me over and sat me on his lap. The smell of alcohol on his breath was obvious. He had his arms wrapped around me, and wouldn't let go even when I asked him to. He made me sit there for about 5 minutes. He touched my hair and stroked my back and spoke to me in a slurred voice. Almost as if he was being 'affectionate'. He didn't let me go. He almost kissed me when he heard the priest coming back, and then he let me go. I ran home and I never went to a temple willingly again. Even though, many other things have happened since then, I'll never forget this for the rest of my life.I never asked for it.

Action Shero Anonymous

Being 13

I was 13 years old when I first experienced street harassment. I was entering a Café Coffee Day with a friend. And while we were climbing the stairs of the café there was a bunch of young men staring at us. We ignored them and kept walking on, when one of the guys teasingly barked, ‘bow-wow’. Angered by his provocation, I replied, ‘kutte ho kya?’ and entered the café. I felt very uncomfortable after this incident and was almost disordered by what happened and how I retaliated towards it.

Action Shero Anonymous

Place: Jaipur

Being 11

The Birthday Party, that I never attended.

When I was 11, I was supposed to go for a birthday party at Mc.Donalds. But some misunderstanding happened and my dad dropped me at a wrong branch of Mc.Donalds. I went inside and discovered that there was no party here and begin to worry. Even though this branch was very close to my house I was alone and scared. So I called up my dad from the telephone booth across the road and asked him to pick me up. I have to describe what I was wearing, I wore a short skirt, and a boat neck top with a butterfly sticker tattoo near my neck. All in pink. YES, that!  And I got a few stares and whistles while I was waiting for my dad to come. I was so uncomfortable, nervous and almost in tears. My dad came soon and picked me up safely. As soon I sat in the car, I burst into tears at the awkwardness of the incident.

Action Shero ANONYMOUS

Place: New Delhi

Being 14

It was the day my parents first allowed me to go the mall and watch a movie with my friends without a chaparon. We were very excited with the new freedom that we had gotten. We watched the movie and then decided to hang out in the mall for a while until my friends car came to pick us up. As we went from shop to shop we realized that a man was following us. We were really scared because this was our first time out alone. He came close to us and in a really creepy way said 'Hi girls'. We looked at each other and started walking away. When we got a message that the car had arrived we started running towards the car as the man followed. Luckily we got into the car fast. It was an extremely scary experience. After that experience my friends and i realized why our parents hesitated so much to send us alone. It was after that day that i became conscious of eve-teasing.

Action Hero Saasha

Place: Bangalore

Being 11

When I was in class 6, we lived in an apartment in Marredpally, Hyderabad. Close to my home, there was a quaint temple. Ever so often, I would visit that temple alone to escape the noise and feel a sense of calm. Back then, I truly believed I felt a connection with God. One evening after school, I told my mother I wanted to go to the temple. This temple was one of those with a huge tree and a place to sit around it. As I sat there, a man was walking alone in the temple. A few minutes later, I completely forgot about his presence and went about my routine. As I was absorbed in my own world, much like 11-yr-olds are, when I felt someone's hands around me. The same man picked me up and cradled me in his arms. He brought his lips close to mine when I tried to scream. He held onto me tighter and I felt helpless. He was not heavily built. But I remember that part of my body was numb from the shock to even react or in this case run. I remember screaming for help. But my voice was barely above a whisper and the temple was empty. When I did manage to escape his touch, I ran home, crying all the way. For a long time, I couldn't explain to my mother or sisters what had happened. I don't think I ever fully explained it. But they understood the gist because somewhere deep down, they had all lived similar experiences. I have never been able to write or talk about it. I am 22 and I still find it difficult to walk by the temple without feeling shivers. But today, with ample distance from the incident, I am brave enough to remind myself that back then, over time and even now, I am not to be blamed. Every time a story of abuse, “eve-teasing” or harassment arises, I am forced to relive so many of those traumatic experiences. These suppressed memories are unnerving and vivid, almost like it all happened yesterday. I find myself repeatedly questioning the similarities between each of the incidents, if any. Wondering what I could have changed. What could I do differently in the future? I have to make a conscious effort to tell myself, it is not my fault and not dwell on those insignificant details. I have never asked for it.

Action Shero Anonymous

Place: Secunderabad, India

Being 19

I witnessed my first and last street harassment 10 years back, when was in college. I was 19, a second year student. I accompanied my friend's lover. Since he was out of station on that day I had to go with his girlfriend to the Erode railway station(TN). She was supposed to get the train to Kerala. The arrival time of the train to Kerala would be late night. So we had to wait till it comes. Later another friend also joined with us. That was the first time I sat in railway station at midnight. I didn’t’ have any idea how the guys from various colleges would behave after having drinks, when they go for holidays. I saw so many “fair & handsome” guys reminding me the debutant bollywood heroes. A gang of 10 guys were beating a guy. An old man was scolding them. The gang war between the different or same college boys are very usual and commonly seen everywhere. Then the train arrived to the station. As the train was slowing down many girls rushed to the compartment’s door, and gathered around to get the seat. Only one can go through the compartment's door there might be around 25 girls were waiting around the door as they were carrying heavy bags in both of their hands or one hand. They were busily looking for a way to the door to get in. Some of them tried to keep their bag inside through the window.

My friend (girl) went near to the train tried to get into compartment, myself and another friend were carrying her luggage. We were nearing to the crowd; there I saw a guy who is my junior was coming from another side of the crowd. A girl who was trying to go into the door, He went behind her and pinched that girl’s back and then he came away from there. He was directing towards as and said “hi” then crossed us. Since we were on run to give the luggage to her i didn't even replied him.

After we back my friend told me that He is drunk. (He meant that the drunken fellow isn’t aware what he does. I wonder I never heard any drunkard got the wrong bus or train). I can’t feel as a girl when someone harassed her. But still I couldn’t digest it. Felt shame being a guy. My friends told me these are usually happened. Later I heard some of my classmates do this every time they go to the station. Some guys used to go out for hitting the women in crowd on purpose. A guy told me (some) girls like boys doing this to them. What shocked me more is whoever narrated these things to me had critic as it doesn’t a wrong behavior at all.

In TamilNadu or Kerala as far as I know still you can’t find most of the small town girls wearing any modern dress. Rarely we can see a girl wear other than churidhar. That day when I witnessed that harassment I noticed every girl there with churidhar and put their Duppata both side of their shoulder. But whistling, passing comments, staring as they go are happening everywhere.

Action Shero Anonymous

Place: Coimbatore, India

Being 19

I was in class X , travelling in DTC bus with my elder brother to school.I sat on the left side, in the Ladies only section , on the window seat and my brother went at the back in the men's section. The bus was nearly empty with not more than 8 to 10 people in it, so quite a lot of seats were empty. A man, must be in his 40's , entered and sat besides me. I felt a bit uneasy as firstly, it was a ladies seat, and secondly there were so many seats entirely empty, then why sit with me. I had my school bag on my lap, and my school uniform was salwar kameez. After few minutes , I felt something on my lap, and I looked downwards and I felt my private part being pressed. I was horrified and lifted the bag from my lap to find that man's hand there. I pushed him aside, bursted into tears, shouted on my brother to come sit next to me, and that man ran and got out of bus. Everybody must have understood something had happened, but nobody did anything, my brother , just one year elder to me, asked me what happened, and I could'nt reply but cry. That was the first shocking event of my life when I became aware that such disgusting people exist in this world and since then, travelling in public transport has been a nightmare for me.

Action Shero Anonymous

Place: Janakpuri, New Delhi India

Being 15

This was in 1996. I was walking down Wood Street in Kolkata with a friend. We were heading towards my house which was just about 4 mins by walk. The time was about 7:30PM. We were busy talking while we walked. Suddenly I looked towards my right and my friend was not there. Then I looked around and walked back to find her. I saw a man with his back towards me. I walked upfront and realized that he was forcefully trying to kiss her and she was struggling. Instantly I pulled her towards we with all my strength. The stranger pulled out a knife from his pocket and said "chilayegi to chod dunga". I was too shocked to believe what was going on. At that moment I could not think of doing anything else but run for our lives. I grabbed my friends hand and we started to run as fast as possible. We were both trembling with fear. We reached my house and informed both our parents immediately. My friend kept crying and brushing her teeth. Her parents came to pick her up. She did not come to school for a week. I can imagine the trauma she went through. My hands and legs were trembling for a long time and I could not sleep properly. The face of that molester kept coming in my head. He was a short stout, bald middle aged man with blood-shot red eyes. I can still remember his face after so many years. If I would ever see him again I would want him behind bars.

Action Shero Anonymous

Place: Kolkata

Being 19

 It was just random guy's comment I overheard on the street about what he thinks of this girl's breast whom he was just staring at.

Action Shero Anonymous

Place: Kyoto, Japan

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 12

I was visiting a fun fair with some friends. The walk from the exit to my car was a little long. Mobiles weren't that common then and I couldn't call my driver to escort me till the car and being young such a thought never even crossed my mind. Whilst walking to the car, I got stuck between a mob of people mostly men. I was groped, my butt was pinched, attempts were made to touch my breasts but I shielded them 'atleast'. With shame in my mind and whatever little dignity I felt I had left them, I sat in the car and went home. That day the fearless tomboy in me grew up suddenly to become a 'girl'. This was not how I'd expected the transition to take place. I  have never shared with with anyone. Not even the friends I went to the fair with.

Action Shero Harshika

Place: Bhopal, India

Being 4

I have a most vivid memory of that first experience...of harassment in public spaces.. I was traveling in a bus with my parents... The bus was crowded and to avoid the push i was made to sit in uncle's lap. For those who travel in city buses must have seen this.. I personally offer seat to kids all the time and especially girl child. This lecherous male put his hand in side my shorts and play with my vagina for more than 5 mins...the was so crowded that no one could see it and my mother was standing at some distance.... I must have been 3 or 4 years old. This is one thing ill never forget.. This is one thing I have never shared with any one…

Action Shero Anonymous

Place: Delhi

Being 12

I was in a public bus going to school and I remember those eyes staring at me. I was in my uniform. It was a white colour physical training (PT) uniform. I remember being stared at almost the entire journey. It almost felt as if I was not wearing any clothes. I remember being so uncomfortable with my body.

There are two more such memories all between the age range of 12-15. One was where I was groped in the bus and I was too young to do any thing about it but I was so angry with myself and felt like cutting off that part of me.

The earliest experience of being violated was at such a young age that its much later in life that I realized what that man was doing. He was a half bald man, the uncle types, a man in his mid 40's and he would often come in the public bus I would travel back home in. He would give a smile, help me find a seat and then come near me and and rub his penis on my hand. I would be holding on to my school bag and my hand would be in such a position that he could easily do it. It only years later that I remembered that warm sensation on my hand and I don't know how I figured out what was actually happening.

Its not that I was unaware of things at that age. My mother has always been very particular about discussing harassment on the road and what safety measures my sister and I should take if such an event is to occur but it did not even strike me!

Action Shero Parmeet

Place: Kolkata

Being 15

Was when I was in Goa. That was like one of those worst ones compared to the other incidents.

I was in mapsa market and not one but 3-4 men literally spanked me, one guy of them even tried putting his hand in my buttcrack. It was a disgusted feeling & wanted to run off from there that very moment.

A few hours later, I was at the beach where I saw a man standing behind the tree and as we were walking straight towards the beach, he started exbhitionism!

A disgusting day indeed.

Action Shero Anonymous

Place: Goa, 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 10

I was pinched on my breasts and my hips.

Action Shero Anonymous

Place: Delhi, India

Being 10

I was walking to my friends house (a five minute walk from where I lived). I remember it was a Sunday, it was quiet on the streets with not a lot of traffic. I was navigating my way through the pot holes, parked cars and was happy in my world. Before I knew it some guys on motorcycle came from behind slapped my butt and before I could react they had whizzed by laughing and whistling. I just stood there for a moment in shock.

I was angry at what had just happened. I was even more angry at myself for not being able to react & defend myself.

Action Shero Anonymous

Place: Ballygunj, Calcutta , India