I thought cat calling and street harassment was a big issue in America (and it is) however I had no idea that it’s worse in France. This is all anecdotal but my friend who is living there says that nearly everyday she is touched, grabbed or fondled when she walks by men on the street. Shocking!

When I was last there in 2012 I was followed - not just around a neighbourhood, but onto the Metro and to a restaurant where I met my friend, by a guy wearing traditional Arab/Muslim looking garb. I can't say for sure that he was either, but based on skin tone and clothes.

The look he gave me when I looked over and saw him (because I hadn't noticed him follow me once I left the neighbourhood I was in, and relaxed thinking it was all just a weird coincidence) was enough for me to insist my best friend pack her stuff - we got on the Eurostar back to London that night, at a fantastic cost of last minute tickets.

Honestly I don't ever want to set foot back in Paris between that incident and hearing the stories coming out of there. I know that there must be a LOT of media scaremongering, but the stories I see in the news and things I hear from European friends makes me question the safety of going to Western Europe as a single woman.

/r/TwoXChromosomes Thread Parent Link - theguardian.com