Yet another post about subway harassment. Sick of it!

This morning, in a busy train a man decided to harass me. When I told him no, he went off yelling at me, trying to humiliate me. I was very aware of how dead silent the train became while he shouted at me, and the 100 or so people watching this scene. I'm able to hold my own but also I'm five months pregnant and was carrying my dog. Not a soul did or said a thing, they just watched (or worse, maybe filmed it). I truly don't expect or really want anyone to stick up for me... but really, does that feel right to you?

FWIW I've lived here a long time and while I'm a little disappointed, reading and hearing so many stories from other women over the years (especially post-pandemic) I see my own inaction and impotence in not knowing how to make a bigger change. The man today did nothing illegal by yelling at me, I just felt compelled to write about today's adventure after reading what another user here wrote a few hours ago about bystanders in these situations. That said, I've been physically assaulted on the street and train by men who I can tell you hold very similar views of women to the "gentleman" today. This shit is so pathetically common. It's no secret. It feels like 1 in 10 r/NYCbitcheswithtaste posts are about women feeling unsafe on the subway or on the street, in a community of 82k of the strongest, smartest, most badass women on the planet, for crying out loud!

I'm sick of just complaining. I need to be able to take the subway and walk around and feel a bit safer. I just do. And I want to raise my kid here safely. I'm not moving or carrying a weapon just because some loser men suck. Please, anyone know of any NYC organizations that are lobbying or doing anything to make public spaces proactively safer for women? Any other suggestions on how to make a bigger difference? What are we doing on a higher level to get better for ourselves?

Just to add the edit, apparently we’re getting (eventually) two cops on overnight trains. Maybe they can put down their phones and walk around too. I’ll take it.