Embroidery

He was staring at us and started masturbating

Sexual Harassment

Name: Anon
Age: 14
Location: On a bus

“I got on the number 14 bus on the way home from school with two of my friends. We went upstairs on our own where a much older man was sat on his own.

He was staring at us and started masturbating, at the time we thought it was quite funny because we were young and didn’t know any better but as I’ve gotten older I realise how disgusting that man was.

Sadly, that’s only one of many stories I have as a young woman growing up in Blackpool.”

Maker: Joe Booth

I found it intimidating

Intimidation

Name: Elaine
Age: 47
Location: Cycle path to Blackpool Zoo

“A man with dogs shouted at me to turn down my bicycle light, he was standing in the middle of the path which made it difficult to pass him, my light isn’t bright or aimed straight at him, I’ve never had anyone else shout at me like this. He was a large man and I found it intimidating”

Maker: Kelly Gorrie

He gave me a cold stare in my eyes

Followed

Name: Emma
Age: 29
Location: St Annes Road

“I had just had a back operation and was walking to a friends to build up my muscles. I had noticed a man who I had seen before on my way. It was day time and I could tell he was following me so I lit a cigarette to let him walk ahead of me.

I looked up and he gave me a cold stare in my eyes. I am sure he had watched me before because it became apparent he knew the route I was taking. I noticed he was walking towards my normal route after he passed me, so I choose to walk a different way where I could see men working. To my horror he turned back on himself and followed me that way.

I knew right away he was following me after that and he wanted me to know. I phoned a friend to meet me and he walked away once she came. Few years later I found out he had done this to other people and even walked into a woman’s house.”

Maker: Norma Foulds

I was on my own, he was not taking no for an answer

Followed

Name: Anon
Age: 20
Location: Church Street, near the Salvation Army, heading towards town

“I was walking to work around mid morning when an older lad I’d never met before on bike started riding alongside me. He made sure to keep to my pace and rode very close, asking things like “So do you to get it on or what?” He made me feel very uncomfortable as I didn’t know him, I was on my own, he was not taking no for an answer, and I didn’t know how long he would follow me, if he’d see where I worked, would he be waiting when I left…?
Thankfully he left me alone when I got into the main part of town.”

Maker: Michelina Gianfrancesco