Why Being Groped or Slapped on the Backside IS a Big Deal
I know, because I’m having to deal with it at the moment
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Firstly, apologies for using the very coy term of ‘backside’ in the title. I’m English, I’d have used ‘arse’ by choice but thought I’d opt for a more universal term.
That out of the way, I also wanted to talk about an increasingly universal (or universally recognised, anyway) subject. It’s something that’s been happening to me recently and, despite the amount of attention sexual harassment has been getting with the #metoo movement, etc. it’s still something I don’t think is discussed accurately. And by that, I mean on the part of some of those on the listening end, rather than those who are doing the talking.
I’m not going to reveal too many details as I’d prefer the person doing the harassing wasn’t ever identified (not from this piece, anyway). But I will say this is someone from another generation. A much older generation. In some ways, I can see how his behaviour is typical of bygone attitudes. Yet, in other ways, I can recall working with older people or remember friends of the family who would have been of the same generation, if not older, than this man. I never had anything like this kind of treatment from them.
So, I’m not sure how much of a relevant factor age is. This is not the first time I’ve been groped without even a hint of consent on my part (I mean, why would I?). Men of all age groups have done it to me. So, I guess age isn’t so much an issue here. It’s attitude.
This particular man has been exploiting every opportunity he can to talk to me in an explicitly sexual manner. He also corners me when I go into certain rooms so he’s well positioned to slap me on the arse as I try to escape. He tries to fabricate reasons to touch me intimately, such as there (apparently) being a fly on my breast.
He doesn’t do it in a predatory manner. He doesn’t, frankly, seem to see the need to. He just thinks he’s entitled. He’s blatant. He laughs and jokes and loves every single minute of it.
I tell him (forcefully) to stop, I tell him I hate it, I tell him I think it’s disgusting and that he has no right. I walk away from him immediately. He chuckles and tells me he’s going to enjoy…
