QawemeHarassment - LEBANON

"I was meeting a friend who lives only ten minutes from home, It was around 10 at night and there weren't too many people on the street. As usual, when I am walking on my own, I listened to music, because I like music, but also in order not to here the stupid comments. Anyway, so I was walking and at a corner, I pass a guy who looks at me. Nothing special, I continue my way and suddenly I see a shadow on the sidewalk right behind mine! The tiny second that it takes me to realise what is going on is enough for him to put his hand under my dress (not a short dress by the way) and grab my ass. I was just too shocked to do anything and just froze, he ran off. I only stood there thinking about whether start screaming or crying or whatever. The worst part is, that that idiot didn't even run quickly. I saw him again several days later, he recognized me and started to follow me in the street, luckily people were between us, but he followed me to my house and saw me walk in. I was scared as hell for the next few days..."

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"I was walking to barometre with a few friends around 11 or 12 at night on a weekend when I noticed a guy standing about 20 meters up, on the right side of the sidewalk, staring at us but with his hands at an awkward angle near his crotch. my friends didn't notice and kept walking, but i made eye contact with the guy and kept it, looking down once as we got close because his penis was visible. I looked back at him and he put it away, but then followed close behind us. When we sat down outside barometre, we all noticed him across the street masturbating and staring, and we complained to the bar staff. he ran away, but the bar stuff didn't care and decided not to do anything..."

Full post at: http://qawemeharassment.wordpress.com/2011/04/04/the-sick-fuck-expected-wed-just-say-smallah-ayrak-7elw-yalla-nshrub-shi/

I was walking home from Hamra one night, around one am. I was alone, but I'd never had problems before. I was a few buildings past Captain's Cabin when a guy started following me. I have no idea where he came from, the street was pretty deserted. He kept a close distance behind me but I ignored it. After a few seconds he started trying to talk to me. I have no idea what he said, but he was trying to ask me something, and so I crossed the street to get away from him, thinking he'd get the point. He instead followed me to the other side. I picked up my pace but he came right behind me and tried to grab me. I was so shocked and scared that I screamed, really loudly. The entire neighborhood probably heard me. He was shocked too when I did that, so shocked that he jumped like ten feet and when I looked he was in the middle of the street looking at me like I was insane. He started running. I was a bit shaken but mostly just confused when I started walking home again.

More here: http://wp.me/p1tg2d-G

"I had to go to the airport, so got up late at night to meet my friends in front of AUB. Two guys in a car, slow down and start whistling and making strange noises. As if I were a dog. At some point they start offering me money.

"Khamseen dollar? Khamseen dollar?" F***ing idiots, I had a suitcase with me, I'm not a specialist, but which prostitute does that.When we approached AUB they stopped. Because yes, those who harass love doing it, but as soon as someone might judge them (as an AUB security guard) they behave themselves perfectly!"

More here: http://qawemeharassment.wordpress.com/2011/04/06/as-if-i-were-a-dog/

"My roommates and I were walking to a party around 10 pm. A guy in a car pulled up and tried to talk to us. We ignored him and continued walking. He kept on saying “I just have one question”. Finally he drove off and we thought it was done, but he had just gone around the block. He started to follow us again. He then abruptly stopped the car in the road and got out and started walking towards us. I’m a pretty small person, but both of my rommmates are younger than me and I feel responsible for them. So as he started towards us, I told him in a firm and loud voice “You’re being inappropriate, get back in your car.” He kept trying to talk but I kept repeating that phrase till finally he stopped, got back in his car and drove off. It was pretty ridiculous to talk to a grown man like he was a four-year-old I was scolding, but it worked. Getting out of your car and basically running at a group of women? Grow up."

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I was walking with a blonde female colleague of mine on a crowded street and I heard whistling behind us. Usually my presence seems to give men the impression that harassing the woman I am walking with is not okay (versus otherwise when apparently she's an open target), so I was pretty surprised and turned around to see two 6-year olds walking behind us, pretending to look the other way. I glared, and continued walking.

After about 10 seconds, and another [meek] whistle, one of the boys approached my colleague on the right and began practicing English- "Hello, where you from?" etc.

I took the opportunity to start yelling at his friend about whether this was the proper way to approach someone on the street and how he should be ashamed to act like some animal and make noises at women when they were walking by. When confronted, the boy insisted it was his friend who whistled, and so I turned my yelling at his friend as well. After about a minute they skulked off in shame...

More at: http://qawemeharassment.wordpress.com/2011/04/10/i-hope-i-scared-the-shit-out-of-the-kid-and-he-wont-harass-women-anymore/

I live on top of a restaurant with valet. This means that at any time of the day (and until around 2 AM) there will be a few guys hanging out in front of my apartment, waiting for people to walk by. This also means that, of course, the space in front of my apartment is a space where these men feel completely comfortable harassing me EVERYTIME I walk by.

Today, over dinner with my roommates I mentioned the problem I had and how embarrassing and frustrating it was to be harassed every single time I walked in or out of my apartment. It shouldn’t have surprised me when two of my roommates revealed that they two were CONSTANTLY verbally harassed on a DAILY basis by these men.

More at: http://qawemeharassment.wordpress.com/2011/04/17/i-i-have-a-right-to-a-safe-space-where-i-dont-have-to-feel-objectified-and-sexualized-just-because-i-exist/

I was walking back home (I live in the area near Concorde) from hamra with a friend at around 11 pm when we see a man, a seemingly drunk one in his 50s at least, with his hands around the crotch area. At first we figured nature called as it always does with males who feel free to urinate just about anywhere in this country; but we were still kinda scared considering it was pretty dark and deserted.

As we got closer (we had to pass by him), he, for some reason, felt it was ok for him to expose his penis to us. He then began to walk towards us with his hands on his thing while saying some of the most obscene stuff I’ve heard. My friend immediately started running while I chose to ignore him and walk a bit faster (I realized he couldn’t catch up with us considering he was pretty wasted or high). We were terrified and angry at the same time I just didn’t know what to do though I reallyyyy wish I could’ve punched him or something."

More info: http://qawemeharassment.wordpress.com/2011/04/20/it-seriously-felt-like-rape-it-was-practically-moral-rape-considering-the-things-he-said/

This is something that did not only happen once and not only in one place but in different spots in Beirut and elsewhere. Often while walking in the streets, men amuse themselves with while walking in my direction of coming pretty close, so that I either have to jump to the side so as not to touch them.

Simply that is annoying, I don’t want to be misanthropic, but please, boys, men and gentlemen: If I want my body to touch you, I will let you know. If I want to get shouted at, I will let you know. If I am looking for new nicknames such as Chocolate, Sweety, Asmar or whatever else I shall consult you, until then: F*** off!

More at: http://qawemeharassment.wordpress.com/2011/04/28/if-i-am-looking-for-new-nicknames-such-as-chocolate-sweety-asmar-or-whatever-else-i-shall-consult-you-until-then-f-off/

I was walking down the street with a friend, and a car was driving down the side of the road really slowly. I first thought that the person driving (I never really saw who) wanted to park, so I didn’t think much of it.

When I realized he was not stopping, it started to concern me. It’s not such a nice feeling when you suspect a car is following you. We ignored him (I’m assuming it’s a he) and picked up our pace. He didn’t bother continuing his little game…

More here: http://qawemeharassment.wordpress.com/2011/05/04/its-not-such-a-nice-feeling-when-you-suspect-a-car-is-following-you/

I was walking home alone from a friend’s place after a night out. I wasn’t wearing anything that could provoke any reaction, simple black (not revealing) top, jeans, and I had already switched from my heels to flats.

I guess simply because it was late and I was a girl on the street, as a car with a few guys in it passed by they made kissing noises at me. It irritated me, and I was feeling particularly ballsy at that moment, so when the car right behind that one drove by and the driver slowed down and shouted, “bonsoir!” at me, I gave him the finger and kept walking. He began to follow me in the car for a block or two, and I was getting nervous and more angry.

I turned and shouted “FUCK OFF!” at him. He stopped the car and got out, “Wait! Why did you do that?”

More Here: http://qawemeharassment.wordpress.com/2011/05/04/why-do-i-have-to-be-the-one-to-just-keep-walking-while-you-do-all-the-talking-ask-your-mother-ask-your-sister-if-they-appreciate-it/

I was taking a public bus down to Jbail on a sunny Wednesday in the middle of the day (between 12am and 1pm) to go to the beach. Just for the record – I was wearing a black/grey cotton dress with black 3/4 leggings, a black vest with short sleeves and sandals. After telling the driver where I wanted to get off and gesturing towards where I was planning to go he offered to drive me to the other side of the highway as it seemed that he was going back to Beirut after his stop there.

The last person got off where I was planning to as well but I thought there is no harm in accepting his offer. So I thought.. A minute later, when we had stopped, I climbed back from the front seat to go towards the door and tried to open it. – Sitting in the front seat of a public bus. Something I am most likely never to do again! – In an attempt to help as the door didn’t open, the bus driver fiddled with it.

Whilst exchanged places with me in this very small corridor of the bus to – apparently – get a better grip at the door, he slightly touched my bum. A second later the door was open and I left immediately.

More here: http://qawemeharassment.wordpress.com/2011/05/13/molested-on-the-public-bus-by-the-driver/

"More than one incident.. more than one lousy experience..

first time 18 years ago when i was 12 where our family friend made a move on me.. this went on for three years..

during this period another man in his 50s made a move when i was in a shop trying out some outfits in the changing room.. i came out and he was waiting.. my cousin was with the emplyee in a different floor.. and i literally choked..could not speak out trying to say no.. he touched me.. asking me to open my legs while standing up with his filthy breath over my face.. and then he managed to stop with my cousins voice calling my name.. so he let me go..

and those couple of minutes were just another incident that made me believe that this was normal about men..but we just dont share them.. people dont share them.."

More at: http://qawemeharassment.com/2011/06/20/i-literally-choked-could-not-speak-out-trying-to-say-no/

"Walking on one of the main streets of Hamra in the evening, my friend and I walk past a parked car, and notice a man standing by it, waiting for us to walk by him and see him touching himself with his penis exposed.

We hurried along, feeling dirty and disgusted."

More at: http://qawemeharassment.com/2011/06/19/we-hurried-along-feeling-dirty-and-disgusted/

"While I was caught in traffic on one of the busiest streets in Hamra (during the day), a man was walking in the opposite direction and on the driver’s side. I was looking straight ahead, but happened to glance at him by chance. When he made sure I looked at him, he took his penis out of his zipper, as if waiting for me to see it and react. I felt disgusted. In broad daylight, and while I was in my own car!"

More at: http://qawemeharassment.com/2011/06/16/flashed-in-broad-daylight-and-while-i-was-in-my-own-car/

"then, this guy shows up. He came up to one of my friends and asked to dance with her, she said no, and then he persisted and wouldn’t leave her alone. She got mad and then came over the side of the group where I was standing, and I asked what was up. She told me what had happened and I said I could talk to him if she needed, but she said it was fine. Apparently he had kept trying to follow her and would grab her arm, and she was fed up but was happy to be away.

Then he comes up and persistently asks another friend her name and to dance, and she literally had to yell at him to go away.

Then this guy approaches another of my friends come behind, and persistently demands to dance with her, not taking no for an answer. He grabs her arm and keeps trying to come up behind her, and finally she yells no and walks to other side where I am."

More at: http://qawemeharassment.com/2011/06/12/photos-of-a-harasser-who-thinks-no-means-yes/

"I was on the bus going to Batroun with some friends. I had just finished joking about how, one time on the bus a guy had tried to sit next to me even though the bus virtually empty. I had woken up my friend from across the aisle and had her sit next to me instead. So, I was joking about this and it happened again.

This time, I didn’t have my backpack in the seat to block the person from sitting down. So this random guy of about twenty sat down next to me before I could object or even think twice, even though the bus was half empty, and even though I was obviously with a group of friends.

They were all sitting behind me, so I didn’t think this guy would try anything. I was looking out the window for a while, and when I looked over at the guy I noticed he was stroking himself. I was too surprised to even react. I just looked away quickly and kept thinking, “There’s no way he’s actually doing that.”

More at: http://qawemeharassment.com/2011/06/07/harassed-on-the-bus-while-surrounded-by-friends-%e2%80%9ci-kept-thinking-theres-no-way-hes-actually-doing-that-%e2%80%9d/

"this happened 4 or 5 years ago when i was in high school and i used to walk to school. i was two blocks away, when a guy was walking towards me in the opposite direction and started the usual “toltish”, noting that i was wearing the school’s unattractive and all-covering uniform and i had my usual angry look on my face whenever i see a guy coming.

i crossed the street so as to avoid his very charming sweet talk, but he crossed too in a way that he almost touched me if hadn’t picked up my pace. this made me so angry that i wished i had done something, like pushed the asshole or hit him in the…."

More at: http://qawemeharassment.com/2011/06/03/i-wished-i-had-done-something-like-pushed-the-asshole-or-hit-him-in-the/

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http://qawemeharassment.com/2011/05/22/%d9%8a%d8%aa%d8%b5%d8%b1%d9%81-%d8%a8%d8%b7%d8%b1%d9%8a%d9%82%d8%a9-%d9%85%d9%82%d8%b1%d9%81%d8%a9/

"??? ???? ?? 12 ???? ??? ?? ??? ?????? ?????? ???????? ????? ???? ?????? ,??? ???, ???? ??? ?? ?? ???? ??, ?? ??? ???? ???? ???? ??? ????? ??? ????? ??? ?? ??? ??? ??? ??????? ??? ??? ??????? ??????? ?? ?????? ???????

, ???? ????? ????? ?? ?????? ???? ?? ??? ????? ?? ????? ?? ???? ?? ???????,?????? ?? ?? ??? ?? ????? ??? ????? ????? ???? ???? ??? ?? ???? ??? ??????? ????? ???? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ?? ??????? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???? ????? ?????????? ?? ???????, ??? ?????? ???? ????? ????? ??? ?? ??? ????? ????? ????? ???? ?? “????? ?????? ????? ???? ??? ??"

http://qawemeharassment.com/2011/05/17/%d8%b4%d9%88-%d8%a8%d8%af%d9%83-%d8%a8%d9%87%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%81%d8%b6%d9%8a%d8%ad%d8%a9-%d8%9f/

"233do yel7a2oone shi 2 boys bil sayara... w ana kteer kenet 5ayfee w 5soose enu i was didn't know the area.. bs then i went to mar l yess w fetet 3 ma7al.. w ba3den fal 3anne..."

More here: http://qawemeharassment.com/2011/06/20/w-ana-kteer-kenet-5ayfee/ ?

"With friends we had gone out to Baromètre. It was late at night and one of my friends was a little drunk so we walked - her in our middle - on the street. I supported her from one side another friend of ours from the other. Several of us were walking behind us.

I happened to be the one walking next to the bypassing cars and motorcycles, which was no problem since not many cars pass by at 3 in the morning. I heard the noise of a scooter coming from behind but did not pay much attention to it, since I helped "carrying" my friend.

The scooter passes and the guy on the scooter grabs my butt. Various experiences with harassment have taught me to react and in that specific moment I was furious. I wanted to jump at the guy, run after him, destroy his damn scooter and cut off his hand."

More here: http://wp.me/p1tg2d-3g

"i was young then.i had my little sister with me . she was like 5 years. im 5 years older than her. i went out to get some things from our next door mini market.

after i got what i wanted and was heading back to my house, some guy apparently followed us into the building. i had no idea of what could happen. i was so innocent. he followed us into the elevator too. i thought that he was here visiting someone. Apparently, he wasn't.

he asked me what floor i was going to. i told him .he pressed the button.. he began talking to me and touching my ass.. i told him that don't do that .. it's wrong.. but he didnt listen .."

More here: http://wp.me/p1tg2d-3j

"I was 17 and went to the movies with some friends. At some point I felt some heat on my tights. Some hands were going up and down. Yiiiiiiiii!! I look at my right, and this super gross men was sitting there calmly, as if he owns this place. I got so mad! I shouted at him and called the staff of the movies and had him kicked out.

I then looked at the girls and the other side, and it turned out that he touched her the same way but did not have the guts to speak up. She did not know what to do. Again here I felt it so much, If we shut up others will suffer. Speaking up will stop harassment!!"

More here: http://wp.me/p1tg2d-3o

"I hate them because they watch me, because they stare, because they snicker, because they giggle, because they make me uncomfortable, because they look, because they make me feel less than human, because they follow me, because they objectify me, because they whistle, because they don't leave me alone, because they harass me,

because they don't allow to me leave and enter my OWN BUILDING without feeling like a piece of meat who should be ashamed for coming home when it's dark. And even when it's light out, you make me feel like a disgusting piece of meat.

STOP LOOKING AT ME. STOP STARING. Leave me the fuck alone."

More here: http://wp.me/s1tg2d-213

"I was walking past a restaurant/shisha place and i heard the usual "yiy yiy yiy shou hal sha'feh, yo'borne jamela" - it doesn't sound too bad when you read it but you should have heard the tone of his voice and the extra sound effects!

i turned around and said "are you talking to me or are you saying things loud enough for me to hear them?" - and then there was silence. his friends all turned around and looked at him as he scrapped up his brain cells to come up with a clever answer.

He said something along the line of "i'm just admiring", so i quickly replied "if this is admiration, no wonder you're sitting with 8 men on a saturday night at a shisha place, try a different strategy coz this one is clearly not getting you anywhere, is it.."

More here: http://wp.me/p1tg2d-3L

I'm a girl who usually never gets back home before 9-10 PM since I sometimes finish university that late, or I just decide to hang out with my friends in the afternoon. Every time I go back home by bus or by cab at a late hour (sometimes at 11) and never faced any kind of harassment (weird, right?)

By that day was different, it was DAYTIME, it was around 11-12 in the morning. I was going back home from my university early because I was sick and decided to skip few of my late classes. I sat in the bus, and then sat right next to me an old man, maybe in his 60's. I started feeling his leg next to mine, I said it's ok, he's an old 'fat' man and the seats on the bus are very tiny. So I ignored it.

But then, the asshole placed his hand on my leg, OH NO, HE CROSSED THE RED LINE THIS TIME!! I was looking outside the window at that time, so I turned around, faced him, gave him a 'chil idak ya ***'-look, and the son of a bitch looks at me and winks, l wa27ane ma 2ela 7doud bhal balad."

More here: http://wp.me/p1tg2d-3V

""??????? ???? ??????? ????? ???? ?? ??? ??? ????
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More here: http://wp.me/p1tg2d-43

"It all started in the early morning once we left an after party. My girl friend met a guy that took us out with his friend to dance until sunrise. My friend was quite drunk and got into a 'playful' face-slapping 'game' with her date's friend. A few minutes after this 'game' ended, he gave her another slap, a bit harder. I reacted.

With poor judgment, I slapped him right back across the face and told him never to touch her in the face again. He was aghast. Angry and defensive, he refused to apologize and excused his behavior as a joke. I eventually apologized for the act of slapping him (as I am a proponent of non-violence except in defense), but continued to explain why this is an unacceptable act- slapping anyone in the face- whether you're kidding or not.

He proceeded to call me a bitch and threaten me about getting slapped in return."

More here: http://wp.me/p1tg2d-4i

"I was on my way from the bus station to my house in maarad street, and i was back from a long training day at 8pm! i was walking on the side walk and i heard the voice of a motorcycle coming near by, i got scared but i didnt picture it might actually happen but it did! he touched me! he actually w bkel wa2aha puts his hand on my ass!

and at zat minute my head spinned! i couldnt believe wat was happening and i started screaming and crying like a mad person!! he ran away!

1- why the hell arent there any lights on the streett!!!

2- why the hell arent there any policemen to protect us at night!

3- why the hell cant i just go home peacefully after a long day of work!!"

More here: http://wp.me/p1tg2d-4o

"I was walking to university with my friend. Suddenly i see a very big and tall man leaning over me. He whispered in my ear how he wanted to fondle my breasts and then pinched my butt. I froze because i was so shocked.

My friend pulled my hand and we ran together to the university gate. There were many people on the street. Also, three girls were staring at us in shock. This is one of the few incidents i have encountered.

When i lived in makdisi street,the same men use to shout out the same vulgar remarks everyday. Surprisingly, the darak were the ones that use to harass me the most."

More here: http://wp.me/p1tg2d-4q

"j n jamais pris ma plume avec tant d'amertume ,de peine mais avec tant de bravade k'aujourd'hui .... c pa une seule situation ,mais en somme j aboutis a une conclusion ke tt homme de tt age est pervert, y en a le grand,le prof, le "tre tre" bien educe....

N'OUBLIONS PA LE PSYCHIATRE pr l'amour de Dieu !!! NOUS vivons ds un monde d'hypochrisme ,des gens malades ... je suis une simple, jeune fille, et juste pr clarifier shui" w bel 3arabe ktir mohafiza ,honnete, bien educee ,réservée de plus ..mais ca n'a nul empecher les ho malades k'ils soient des enseignants universitaire (recement), les "2arayeb" et c'est là que le bât blesse! peut etre ke j pa raconter les histoires,mais ke puis j dire ??!!!

Le prof ki a refuse d me mettre une bonne note parceke j pa passer le voir ds son bureau (malgre ke j'etais excellente )?? Le psychiatre de l'uni ki me taquinait a chak fois k'il pouvait,ss oublier surtt sa voix degoutante, ses"3azeyem", le fait de changer ses paroles si qq'un arrive.."

More here: http://wp.me/p1tg2d-4w

"I was on my way home, after a light evening with some friends in a pub in Beirut.

There was a checkpoint on the karantina bridge, right off mar mkhael area (this became very usual these days). Usually, if you're a girl, soldiers let you go very easily. This time was different.

The soldier on the checkpoint did a move with his head, signifying: you can go. but in a fraction of second, he changed his mind and asked me to park on the right. I realized my shirt (even if it was more or less decent) might be the cause of this sudden change of mind.

Another soldier on the right asked for my papers, which I gave him. everything seemed fine to him, so he asked me: "why did he (the 1st soldier) asked you to park?". I had no answer... To my amazement, I see the 1st soldier leaving his checkpoint (yes leaving it), and coming my direction. He stopped by my car and observed me."

More here: http://wp.me/p1tg2d-4E

"I was standing in the aisle of the airplane after landing in beirut when an overweight frenchman bumped up against my back. At first I thought someone had pushed him from behind and that he had stumbled into me.When he continued to lean on me, I said, 'stop pushing me' and I sat back down in my seat and he continued to exit the plane.

My 3 kids had witnessed the whole thing and they told me there was noone behind the guy and that he was just rubbing up against me. My youngest daughter of 10 was very mad and wanted to say something to the man. (Coincidentally and unfortunately, she had been touched by a man 2 months ago while playing at AUB.)

At the baggage carousel, she kept asking me, 'where is he?'. I pointed to the man who was standing with his friend at the other carousel. She asked if she could go say something to him and I said, 'yes'.

She went straight over to him, and in french said, 'why were you touching my mother like that?' The man was embarrassed and said, 'I didn't'. My girl repeated the question a number of times. She was very brave and mad. I really respect her for that."

More here: http://wp.me/p1tg2d-4G