Written submission from a member of the public (SPP0031)
Summary of points discussed
I am a [18-24-year-old] white British female. I am heterosexual and do not follow any religion. I am submitting evidence from my own personal experience to help with this inquiry and to highlight how sexual harassment can affect girls and women.
I was on a night out with friends and had consumed alcohol. The first incident occurred early in the night. I was waiting for my friend outside the ladies’ toilets in the club which is at the end of a small corridor connecting two rooms. I felt a little dizzy so was leaning against a wall, the next thing I remember was a man leaning over me with his arms either side of me trying to make me kiss him. He kept saying “come on just a kiss” to which I repeatedly responded that I didn’t want to, but he was relentless. Fortunately, my friend came out of the toilet and saw what was happening and managed to push him away. He still would not leave, my friend told the man we were in a relationship and he told us to prove it, we managed to push past him and carried on with our night. The second incident took place in the queue for a taxi. Two men were standing behind me and began to gently touch me on the shoulder and around my waist then my hair and neck, which progressed into tugging on my jacket and pulling my hair. I told them to get off me and they swore at me, “who does this bitch think she is?”, then continued to touch me and pull at my hair. One of them then blew through his teeth spraying spit at my hair. As they persisted when I told them again to get off I had to ask security to get them away from me. I did not wish to report either incidents through fear of over reacting, in addition to the fear I felt of them finding out who I am or where I live. Fortunately, a taxi arrived as security were confronting the men, so my friends and I ran straight into the taxi and left as the two men had become aggressive towards the security guard.
At the time of the first incident I was a little shaken but decided to put it behind me and continue to enjoy my night, putting it down to the man drinking too much alcohol. It was a busy night, so I knew I could avoid him for the rest of the night and I did not want to make a fuss.
The second incident really scared me, especially coming after the earlier harassment. After they swore at me and pulled my hair harder I became very scared and just wanted to get away from them. The spitting was the most upsetting part for me and when I got into the taxi I just cried.
On my first night out after these events I was a little apprehensive and wore my hair in a ponytail, partially because I was a little shaken and partially, so my appearance would be different in case I saw the same men again. Since that night I am no longer afraid of bumping into any of the men and I am not nervous to go out with my friends, I am angrier that the men felt that they were entitled to touch me even after I had asked them to stop.
January 2018