Sexual Harassment Stories and Experiences

Samantha

     A neighbor in the building was becoming too friendly with many comments on my physical appearances– like “Wow!  You look beautiful,” etc. 

     One fateful day, he blocked my exit from the building, barricading me between two doors and asking me for a kiss. I gestured with my hands to move out of my way and he would not. 

     Instead, he again gestured that he wanted a kiss.

     At this point, I knew there was no way I would be able to exit unless I gave him a kiss, so I took my hand, made a gesture to my lips and slightly touched my hand to his cheeks. I walked away, brushed off the incident, however, felt uncomfortable.

     After this incident, he started to look at me with hostility, yelled at my in the apartment lobby and tried to provoke me to his games.

     I told him I would call the police and I did.

     The police came, filled out a report. I called the management of the apt and the owner called back to say he was sorry that it happened and that I was dealing this tenant. I wasn’t sure if filing a police report was the right thing to do but the police officers assured me that it was definitely the right thing to do. The police officers also gave me their precinct’s number so I could call them should he harass me again.

     I have been sharing the story with friends and family.  I also told another woman in my building and she was grateful to know and said that what he did was inappropriate. I also spoke to a friend who went through a much worst incident and it helped because she understood.

     Also, I’m in the process of moving, looking for another place to live and I think it will happen soon.  I was also told to keep a paper trail should this go to court and it’s a she-said, he-said incident.  

     Friends have walked me home and I have walked around the block to enter my apartment building from a different side of the street to avoid him and harm’s way. He may have been joking but clearly, his behavior is off-kilter  as I have not invited such behavior and because he became increasingly hostile after that barricading incident. He doesn’t stand outside the apartment building as much.  Though, sometimes, I think he watches to see if I’ll look towards his way.

     They say predators build trust and then attack.  He  has violated my trust and so, he is no longer a “neighbor.”  So far as I’m concerned, he could be a social deviant.  He has shown no sign of an apology– which again affirms that he has some screws loose in his brain.

     Some people have tried to belittle the incident and acted as if I somehow was to blame or dumb.  I have tried to be gracious to them.  But, I will probably stay away from them a little because of lack of support.

     Bringing all of this to light probably will help deal with the wound, and I hope healing is possible. This too shall pass. Thank God. 

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 1st, 2008 at 11:44 am and is filed under Sexual Harassment in Miscellaneous Settings. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.