Atleast once a week, when I ride public transit, some random scrote always decides to sit literally side by side to me and start "stealthily" touching my legs or my hair (it's very long and reaches the seat when I sit down). It's especially bad when a bus is crowded and men have perfect excuse to sit next to me and literally press me against the window when there's enough space to like, not do that. And by the way I don't feel like I'm being harrassed when a man just sits next to me like a normal person when it's crowded. I ofc feel a bit uncomfortable but I don't care if he just minds his own business. However there are often some individuals that deliberately attach themselves to me and sometimes start touching, it makes me so mad everytime. Also when I'm in the city there's often scrotes that walk directly behind me and leave no space between us, even when it's not a busy street. Is there any way I can prevent this from happening? If anyone even mentions "modest clothes", just a heads up it's freezing cold here and I'm covered from head to toe everytime I go outside, so my clothes are definitely not an issue.
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The only thing that works a little for me is to forget about being or seeming polite and to be proactive.
Be loud, be rude, huff, give them a dirty look and go sit/stand somewhere else when a man sits down or comes to stand next to you.
What also sometimes works is to proactively try to get women/girls to sit next to you. When the train/bus stops and people are getting in, look for the first harmless looking woman or girl that will pass by your seat. Then make eye contact, look friendly and offer them the seat next to you. People also always use the seats that are already free first, so stack your bags or place something else on the seat next to you if you can and only remove them for a woman or girl.
I lived in a big city for almost 20 years and used public transit during that time. It was awful. I was harassed, groped, upskirted. Nothing really seemed to work to get it to stop, even being assertive. Those types of men are dangerous and they usually just squared up to me when I called them out. And unfortunately, bystanders don't help. It sucks but getting away from public transport is the only way to be safer. Getting your own vehicle for safety is just all part of the woman tax.
If that's not possible now, pepper spray. I've never actually used it but I've brought it out a couple times. The men harassing me jumped away and left me alone. They couldn't see what I had, just that I had some kind of weapon. But that's last resort situations, when you're cornered. Which unfortunately you may need to prepare for.
I'm not sure it's socially acceptable in most countries to act crazy if someone starts harassing you. That's why it can be so effective.
Um yeah, you yell "Stop fucking touching me" and smack his hand away, get up and move away, and get off the bus.