Name: Charlie
Age: Not stated
Location: McDonalds, Friargate
@cmcgill_21: “No way have I just been groped by a 14 year boy in maccies in Preston”
@spaceyteej: “@shelbygardner find this boy”
@shelbygardner: “mate it’s nothing new here. It’s ridiculous”
@spaceyteej: “Ew Gross.”
Maker: Kellie Gorrie
Preston artworks commissioned by Arts Lancashire as part of Lancashire Arts Exchange
Name: Anon
Age: 18
Location: Outside Miller Arcade
“I had been out celebrating the end of my exams with friends. I saw a group of three men outside Manyana in Preston. One approached me and put his hand up my skirt and I told him to go away. The men followed me and friends to Browns and we all began dancing on the dance floor. I went to the toilet, at about 1:30am and when I turned around, he was stood there and the door was shut. I think I was arguing with him.
After he attacked me, I ran back into the club screaming, I found a police officer outside and begged him to take me to a police station. I wouldn’t let anybody anywhere near me.
It’s been really hard. I blamed myself at first and wouldn’t go out but I’m now having counselling. My parents did not want me to return to university, but I went back because I can’t let one person ruin everything. Everyone is the same and thinks, ‘Oh I can go out and drink as much as I want and it’s never going to happen to me,’ but I’m the unfortunate one that it’s happened to.
I wouldn’t wish it on anybody.”
Maker: Norma Foulds
Preston artworks commissioned by Arts Lancashire as part of Lancashire Arts Exchange
Name: B
Age: 12
Location: Highfield Road Park
Crochet with fringing and pompoms
“I was on the park with boys who I went to school with and who I thought were my friends. They cornered me in a metal tube on the park and tried to lift my top up and touch me. I managed to kick one and I ran all the way home. I didn’t tell anyone as I didn’t want to get in to trouble for being on the park.
I had to see these boys for years at school.”
Maker: Joe Booth
Name: Anon
Age: 19
Location: Bank Hey Street near McDonald’s
Embroidered Kate Bush Lyric with crocheted flowers
“I was walking behind my friends, a man grabbed me and held me against a wall by my neck. He was groping at my dress and trying to shove a hand underneath.
My friend turned back and he released me and shoved me away. Guess he hadn’t realised I was with people as slightly behind them. I was frozen stiff the whole time.
Told my friend I was fine. Never told them what happened.”
Maker: Kelly Gorrie
Name: Holly Hulme
Age: 32
Location: Bootleg, Topping Street
“I was stood at the bar ordering drinks when a stranger groped my bum whilst laughing with his mates.”
Maker: Louise Ashcroft
Name: Anon
Age: 14
Location: ***
Date: 2009
“A boy ran up behind me, put his hand between my legs and squeezed.”
Maker: Hannah Dial
*** Redacted (safeguarding).
We're Sew Done 