Warning: Readers may find some of the shared stories disturbing.
The #hashtag #WhenIWas went viral on Twitter recently. It showed how early women experience sexual harassment and violence.
UK-based Everyday Sexism Project, which is considered as a safe space for people to share their encounters, asked their Twitter followers to share their experiences with regards to sexism, sexual harassment, and violence using #WhenIWas.
We’re using the #WhenIwas hashtag to share experiences and reveal just how early sexism, harassment, sexual violence & discrimination start
— EverydaySexism (@EverydaySexism) April 19, 2016
Many from different parts of the world have shared their stories.
#wheniwas 12 and a man yelled out of his van window that I was “a miserable cow” for not responding to his whistles and horn honking.
— Kate (@keziaroseinked) April 19, 2016
#WhenIWas 15 my friend was assaulted by her boyfriend’s friend. when she reported it, the first thing asked was “what were you wearing?”
— christine. (@christyxcaverly) April 19, 2016
#WhenIWas 15, my female teacher told me to “stop overreacting” when I said I was being sexually harassed by a boy in my class.
— Hanknits (@hanknits) April 19, 2016
@EverydaySexism #WhenIwas 14 and walking home from school, a car full of men drove past and one shouted he wanted to have my babies
— non-man climber (@extreme_crochet) April 19, 2016
#WheniWas a child my dad sexually abused me. I got lucky my mum believed and protected me. So many children are not that lucky.
— Chloe King (@GGrucilla) April 19, 2016
#WhenIWas 6 the boys would pull my dress over my head and pull my underwear down. They were never punished because “boys will be boys”.
— Brienne (@HospitableHippy) April 19, 2016
#WhenIWas 16 on a school trip I was drugged by a man at a hostel. He attempted to rape me. Police said I was old enough to know better.
— Lydia Hulme (@EllesieBean) April 19, 2016
#WhenIWas 16 i didn’t know how i was supposed to tell the boy on the bus to stop touching/groping me. i didn’t know that i could.
— sailor mourn ⚰ (@detricotage) April 19, 2016
#WhenIWas 5, I was sexually assaulted till I was 8, by a close family member. Still overcoming it and trying to be okay.
— Leeah the Spoonie (@POTSiePrincess_) April 19, 2016
#WhenIWas 7, I was sexually assaulted by an older boy and my school tried to suspend me for taking it to court
— cail (@caileyisdead) April 19, 2016
#Wheniwas in HS, I was sexually harassed. Counsellor told me to show school spirit: if offenders were suspended, the hockey team wld lose.
— Permanent Side Eye (@sarahkerr81) April 19, 2016
#wheniwas 15 my friend’s dad said he would “knock the bottom outta that” if he were my boyfriend
— grouchho marx (@trashbouquet) April 19, 2016
#WhenIwas 15 my math teacher told me feminism is stupid and that God purposefully made men superior to women
— ✵Rama Farid✵ (@IIdramaaII) April 19, 2016
(CN: rape) @EverydaySexism #wheniwas 18, I was raped by a guy who learnt I was queer wanted to prove to me that “guys are better”.
— drimarx (@DRIMACHUCK) April 19, 2016
#WhenIWas in elementary school, boys would routinely touch me despite protests. Teachers never stopped them. Told *me* to stop complaining.
— capriciously nerdy (@whatanerd) April 19, 2016
Visit Twitter to share your story using #WhenIWas or to read more stories.
