Compliment Vs. Sexual Harassment

This is my personal story of what I have gone through as a women in today's world, and my opinion on the issue.

We are all aware of the #metoo movement, where women and men are coming out about being sexually harassed. As a women, I have been sexually harassed multiple times. As a young women, I thought it was just a man complimenting me. As I have gotten older, I have realized those men were praying on me and sexually harassing me.

Being yelled at from a car, saying, "Damn girl, you fine, let me get a piece of that," "Look at that ass," and "Girl, the things I would do to you," those sayings are not compliments, that is harassment. A compliment is, "Excuse me, you are very beautiful" or "I like what you did with you hair."

I travel for work, all over the world, and I travel alone most of the time. I am a married women and have to deal with men following me around the airport, to my hotel room, and approaching me at a bar. These men are not appropriate, they are rude and harass me.

Just last night I was walking to my hotel room and a man walking behind me starting huffing and puffing. I turned around and he said I am not following you, I'm not creepy like that. In reality, he really was being creepy. I should have turned around and walked the other way because I didn't want him to know what room I was in. Instead I walked fasted and got into my room and quickly shut the door behind me.

Women should not have to be afraid to walk alone at night, especially in a hotel where you should feel safe. We shouldn't have to take self-defense classes because we are scared of being attacked by a man who could easily overpower us.

Before you think, well do you dress appropriately, are you asking for it. NO. I am a professional woman. I do not dress and ask for it. Regardless of the women who do dress and flaunt what they have, that is their choice, they are not doing it for men to harass them.

I am currently sitting in a hotel restaurant. I came to this same place last night. I observed a man watching a woman who was alone. You could tell he wanted to speak with her and he watched her all night. He didn't say anything to her. Then tonight, this same woman came to the restaurant, and the same man was here as well. He watched her for a few hours and then finally approached her. You could tell she did not want him around, but instead of him leaving, he stayed and bothered her. This is not okay. If someone tells you they are not interested, you should leave them alone and apologize. Do not keep bothering them.

Something has to change in this world. Men and women should not have to deal with being harassed daily. The #metoo movement is great, but what is being done to change people's behavior and let them know what they are doing is not okay? How are we going to change this?

So many men and women are getting off with warnings. This is letting them know that their behaviors are okay, and that they can keep doing what they are doing and just get a warning. We need more people to speak up to let men and women know that they are wrong. People need more than a warning.

The next time someone approaches you in a way that is not appropriate, remind them that what they are doing is wrong and to leave you alone. They need to leave the area. People will be shocked and will make themselves more aware of their behavior.

Let's start making a change today!