Monthly Archives: June 2011

“no wonder you’re sitting with 8 men on a saturday night, try a different strategy coz this one is clearly not getting you anywhere!”

Posted on 2011/06/29 | 2 Comments

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..”

I walked off at he mumbled things i could not and did not want to hear. I’ll think of some other stories as I’ve been a lot feistier since i turned 25 :)

silence only reinforces such behavior, speak up girls and be wise with your words!

Submitted by pbk

Location:  between Sassine and Saydeh Church, Ashrafieh

Time of harassment: 16-20: Afternoon Rush Hour / العصر

Do you have a personal experience with sexual harassment or assault you would like to share? Please click here and fill out the online submission form. All submissions are posted anonymously unless you specify.

هل لديك تجربة شخصية مع التحرش الجنسي أو الاعتداء تريد مشاركته ؟ الرجاء الضغط هنا وملء استمارة التقديم على الانترنت. وتنشر جميع التقارير مجهول ما لم تحدده

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“i attacked him the way he attacked me..and im proud of it!..”

Posted on 2011/06/27 | 1 Comment

It is somewhat a minor incident but i was kind of proud of my reaction cz i usually just get silently angry!

so i was walking with my mom when three young men walked towards us saying obnoxious stuff and one of them was like “ana badi emro2 bl noss bayneton” with the ugliest smirk ever, and he stretched his hands to maybe try and touch whatever he can..

so i moved away and i looked straight at him and i shouted “Khalas ba2a, shou hl ellet l fehem hydi” i dont know if it was the right thing to do, but he looked shocked and kind of “mabkhou3″ so he threw a “kes ekhtek” at me as he walked away with his friends laughing at him, with him…

i have no idea! I didnt mind him cursing at me, i pissed him off! i attacked him the way he attacked me..and im proud of it!..

Submitted by SNA

Location:  Tariq el Mina, Tripoli

Time of harassment: 10-16: Daytime / عز النهار

Do you have a personal experience with sexual harassment or assault you would like to share? Please click here and fill out the online submission form. All submissions are posted anonymously unless you specify.

هل لديك تجربة شخصية مع التحرش الجنسي أو الاعتداء تريد مشاركته ؟ الرجاء الضغط هنا وملء استمارة التقديم على الانترنت. وتنشر جميع التقارير مجهول ما لم تحدده

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I confronted a harasser in Tripoli… and “i felt like I actually took back the night!”

Posted on 2011/06/25 | 3 Comments

yesterday a guy approached me and grabbed my ass, this wasn’t the first time such thing happens to me. Usually i run and cry feeling violated week and definitely shame.

But this time I took your advice and i actually confronted him i started yelling and demanding an apologize and asking him if he would like someone to do that to his mother or sister, i even identified him in front of the people who were there. he started saying sorry and begged me to stop yelling.

I did feel violated at first but then i felt like I was strong, and the way he begging me to stop and leave really empowered me! and this time instead of regretting walking at night alone on the street i actually felt like I actually took back the night!

Submitted by MiRA

Location:  Tripoli

Time of harassment: 20-2: Night / الليل

Do you have a personal experience with sexual harassment or assault you would like to share? Please click here and fill out the online submission form. All submissions are posted anonymously unless you specify.

هل لديك تجربة شخصية مع التحرش الجنسي أو الاعتداء تريد مشاركته ؟ الرجاء الضغط هنا وملء استمارة التقديم على الانترنت. وتنشر جميع التقارير مجهول ما لم تحدده

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Posted in English

“all I want to do is take the coals from your arguile and throw them in your eyes”

Posted on 2011/06/23 | 2 Comments

I hate them.


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.

And all I can do is photograph you from above. The landlord doesn’t care, the boss at your restaurant doesn’t care, no one cares. And all I want to do is take the coals from your arguile and throw them in your eyes.

Submitted by RK

Location:  Manara

Time of harassment: 20-2: Night / الليل

Do you have a personal experience with sexual harassment or assault you would like to share? Please click here and fill out the online submission form. All submissions are posted anonymously unless you specify.

هل لديك تجربة شخصية مع التحرش الجنسي أو الاعتداء تريد مشاركته ؟ الرجاء الضغط هنا وملء استمارة التقديم على الانترنت. وتنشر جميع التقارير مجهول ما لم تحدده

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Molested at the Cinema… “If we shut up others will suffer!”

Posted on 2011/06/22 | 1 Comment

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!!

Submitted by pinkchiwawa

Location:  Achrafieh

Time of harassment: 16-20: Afternoon Rush Hour / العصر

Do you have a personal experience with sexual harassment or assault you would like to share? Please click here and fill out the online submission form. All submissions are posted anonymously unless you specify.

هل لديك تجربة شخصية مع التحرش الجنسي أو الاعتداء تريد مشاركته ؟ الرجاء الضغط هنا وملء استمارة التقديم على الانترنت. وتنشر جميع التقارير مجهول ما لم تحدده

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Sexually molested as a child in the elevator of her own building!

Posted on 2011/06/21 | Leave a comment

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 ..

when we reached my floor.. he suddenly pressed the ground floor button.. so now we were stuck in the elevator with him.. he then pulled out his penis.. we then reached the grd floor. i got out quickly with my little sister in my hand..i shouted at him .. he said shut up or i’ll hit you!!

i began shouting to the people in the building as i rushed up the stairs in the opposite direction. he got scared and ran off.

Today, what surprises me the most is that back then i felt raging anger rather than feeling scared or afraid of him.

Submitted by Anonymous

Location:  Bourj Abi Haidar

Time of harassment: 20-2: Night / الليل

Do you have a personal experience with sexual harassment or assault you would like to share? Please click here and fill out the online submission form. All submissions are posted anonymously unless you specify.

هل لديك تجربة شخصية مع التحرش الجنسي أو الاعتداء تريد مشاركته ؟ الرجاء الضغط هنا وملء استمارة التقديم على الانترنت. وتنشر جميع التقارير مجهول ما لم تحدده

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“I wanted to jump at the guy, run after him, destroy his damn scooter and cut off his hand.”

Posted on 2011/06/20 | Leave a comment

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.

Unfortunately, I could not since I still held on to my friend. So I just yelled and cursed after him. My friends were all pretty drunk so they just started laughing without understanding. It was bad, I was so furious!!!

I guess, sometimes they just get away with it. But that has to change. It will. Happy Resist Harassment Day!!

Submitted by LAH

Location:  Hamra, Beirut

Time of harassment: 2-6: Late Night / ما بعد منتصف الليل

Do you have a personal experience with sexual harassment or assault you would like to share? Please click here and fill out the online submission form. All submissions are posted anonymously unless you specify.

هل لديك تجربة شخصية مع التحرش الجنسي أو الاعتداء تريد مشاركته ؟ الرجاء الضغط هنا وملء استمارة التقديم على الانترنت. وتنشر جميع التقارير مجهول ما لم تحدده

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“w ana kteer kenet 5ayfee…”

Posted on 2011/06/20 | Leave a comment

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…

Submitted by Anonymous

Location:  7ay l lija, Beirut

Time of harassment: 16-20: Afternoon Rush Hour / العصر

Do you have a personal experience with sexual harassment or assault you would like to share? Please click here and fill out the online submission form. All submissions are posted anonymously unless you specify.

هل لديك تجربة شخصية مع التحرش الجنسي أو الاعتداء تريد مشاركته ؟ الرجاء الضغط هنا وملء استمارة التقديم على الانترنت. وتنشر جميع التقارير مجهول ما لم تحدده

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“Do you want your reputation to be tarnished? a man would not make this move unless he is ‘invited’!”

Posted on 2011/06/20 | 3 Comments

I just arrived to the country after many years studying in a European country and after a few years of the end of the war. Full with motivation and enthusiasm, I was lucky to find a job in a governmental institution, where I had to mount a lab. from scratch. Because of that, the presence of a handy man was kind of necessary at all times! so we got used to each other though within the professional limits.It is useful to say that this handy man was very close to the management for his diligent services.

One eid came and he wanted to greet me. I extended my Hand to shake his, but I felt that he did not like this or considered it as not enough for all what he did to my lab (it was his duty). He said: you think I cannot take a kiss from you? I felt it inappropriate to kiss him or simply I did not want to kiss him! He took my hand, pulled it towards him and pulled me with it, tried to kiss me and in the same token touched my breast with his other big hand!!

I ran like a crazy to the the Director’s office. It was obvious from my look, voice and colour that I’ve lived something horrible! but the director tried to undermine it.

I went to the disciplinary council for civil servants where I met a woman and I was still under the shock! May be I have to be grateful that she believed me! She said: Do you want your reputation to be tarnished and be subjected to investigations and Q&As?? you are still a young lady (bint)! Yes, this is how harassment is treated in Lebanon!

when back to the office I was told that the Director subtracted 3 working days from the wage of that handy man! wow! how cheap this harassment was!! I was not able anyway to confirm or see a proof about this.

Later on, I met with the Director General who called me to his office, not to comfort me or kind of apologize! but rather to deepen the knife in me. He said, I do not think a man would make this move unless he is ‘invited’ …. That was another harassment isn’t it?? in my heart I said Tfeh!!

Me, the one who lived in Europe to get my Master degree and PhD, came to Lebanon to express my needs with a handy man almost as old as my father. Yes, unfortunately, this is the way we handle harassment in Lebanon.

Submitted by MEIBM

Location:  Fanar, Mount Lebanon

Time of harassment: 10-16: Daytime / عز النهار

Do you have a personal experience with sexual harassment or assault you would like to share? Please click here and fill out the online submission form. All submissions are posted anonymously unless you specify.

هل لديك تجربة شخصية مع التحرش الجنسي أو الاعتداء تريد مشاركته ؟ الرجاء الضغط هنا وملء استمارة التقديم على الانترنت. وتنشر جميع التقارير مجهول ما لم تحدده

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“i literally choked..could not speak out trying to say no..”

Posted on 2011/06/20 | 2 Comments

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..

Skipping other incidents.. coming to the last two when i was at university.. once at cola in the taxi cab.. a very old man wanted to take the cab.. he did not have money..so the driver said sorry.. i cannot take you and i offered to pay for him.. he got in on the back seat next to me.. a couple of minutes later.. the whole seat was shaking.. i thought something wrong has happened to him.. i turned to look and there he was a 60 something old man playing with him self with his penis totally out..

the next year walking to my husbands place (at that time he was still my boyfriend).. this car pulls over next to me on Spears Street in Beirut, a man called out asking for directions, i got closer to the window trying to help out.. apparantly his intentions were different.. he just wanted to show off his penis infront of me.. and was as well.. playing with himself..

Now i have a daughter.. i just want to protect her.. i dont know if me speaking out and joining campaigns would be enough.. but still.. im trying and will always do..

Submitted by SDB

Location:  Beirut

Time of harassment: 10-16: Daytime / عز النهار

Do you have a personal experience with sexual harassment or assault you would like to share? Please click here and fill out the online submission form. All submissions are posted anonymously unless you specify.

هل لديك تجربة شخصية مع التحرش الجنسي أو الاعتداء تريد مشاركته ؟ الرجاء الضغط هنا وملء استمارة التقديم على الانترنت. وتنشر جميع التقارير مجهول ما لم تحدده

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