Women of London: how often do you experience catcalling?

Navigating Everyday Harassment: A Personal Experience from London Streets

As a 27-year-old residing in a suburban area of Outer London near New Malden and Kingston, I’ve recently faced a barrage of troubling interactions while merely going about my day. Despite dressing modestly and not considering myself particularly striking in appearance—I stand at an unremarkable 5’7″ and have a fairly average body—I’ve encountered an unsettling pattern of catcalling and harassment. This trend has left me questioning whether my experiences are common among other women in the city or if I’ve simply had an unusual run of bad luck.

Over the past few months, the instances of unwanted attention have only increased, making me anxious about venturing out alone. Being currently single and often without my busy friends for company, I’ve reluctantly become accustomed to a series of unsettling episodes:

1. Unwanted Pursuits in Public Spaces: On several occasions, men have followed me in Central London and propositioned me directly. Closer to home, I’ve found myself being trailed down quiet residential streets after evening bus rides, with strangers persistently asking about my relationship status.

2. Harassment in Kingston: A particularly unnerving incident involved a man in Kingston Town Centre commenting on my appearance, insisting on my wellbeing, and ultimately trailing me so persistently that I sought refuge in a nearby shop. Similarly, at Kingston Riverside, two men pressured me into sharing my phone number, then bombarded me with messages before I managed to block them.

3. Invasive Encounters: Disturbingly, I experienced groping near my residence by an unknown individual. Teenage boys have felt emboldened to make inappropriate comments, and on another occasion in Putney, a man inquired about my ethnic background—I’m of British Iraqi heritage—before proceeding with lewd questions.

4. Ongoing Low-Level Harassment: Continual, albeit less severe, harassment is a constant backdrop, with older men winking and blowing kisses, even passengers attempting to catch my eye from passing cars. While some interactions, such as respectful inquiries about my phone number or offers for a drink, feel less threatening, the sheer volume of attention remains overwhelming.

This pervasive and relentless male attention—ranging from mildly intrusive to overtly aggressive—has made me question whether this is a shared reality for women across London. Each outing seems shadowed by the possibility of unwanted encounters, leaving me feeling uneasy and on guard. As I navigate these interactions,