While I was shopping today...I saw the man who had sexually harassed me.....

@Feona1962 (7526)
United States
November 2, 2007 12:39pm CST
In 2003 at my work a man continued to sexually harass me...I ended up getting fired, because I told on him....He was able to keep his job and all... Anyway, today while I was shopping there he was...He walked right up behind me...A chill went up my spine, and my heart was in my throat....I got really nervous and just stood still until he left...All I could think about was what he did to me..... I made sure he left the store before I checked out.... I was so glad to get home... Has anyone had this happen to them...
7 people like this
17 responses
@Calais (10893)
• Australia
2 Nov 07
Wow !! How scarey for you.I could not imagine how you must have felt...Very frightening episode to live through again in your mind..
2 people like this
@lpetges (3036)
• United States
3 Nov 07
probly uncomfortable for you and him. but, that is in the past and we are in the future, many things have occured since then.
1 person likes this
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
3 Nov 07
It was a difficult few minutes to say the least...Lots has changed since then, and one of them being since all my weight loss he didn't even recognize me...but it didn't matter, I still felt numb and just let it pass...
@Calais (10893)
• Australia
3 Nov 07
I dont think that you could get it out of your head that simply..It obviously was traumatic, I know that I for one wouldnt care about past or future on a matter like that, it happened, you cannot change that..
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Nov 07
I thought the man will get fired and you still keep your job. I find it strange that you got fired instead of him. It must be terrible for you to shop in the same store as him.
2 people like this
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
3 Nov 07
It wasn't just him that was harassing me..So it was easier to fire me instead..
• India
3 Nov 07
I would say you not to have put this in mylot because first of all you should not have been keeping this in your mind,then even if you see him why do you worry if he does anything just thrash his faceoff
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
3 Nov 07
Hi varunkrishna, I am allowed to put whatever I feel on mylot. I have alot of friends on here and anything that I can contribute to help them is my goal...I don't want sympathy, I am just letting people know what happened...It will stay on my mind as long as I live..I don't dwell on it because there is no need..But when I saw him, the incident came back as if it had just happened...I am not a violent person and I would never "thrash his faceoff" as you say...Ignoring him was the best solution...
• United States
3 Nov 07
thats pretty hard to do their varunkrishna if it hasnt happened to you,you dont know how she feels.when something bad like that happens to someone it will stick in your head and dont tell me it wouldn't because i know it does.yes feona should of wrote this, because its her story about what happened and she has every right to write whatever she wants too.i would worry if it happened to me and i saw him too,so feona you are right for feelin what you feel and i am behind you 100% love ya,pattie
1 person likes this
@TerryZ (22076)
• United States
2 Nov 07
Is that you in your Avatar? Because it sure doesnt look like you! Well all I can say Im glad your okay and made it home safe. No thankfully nothing like that has happened to me.
1 person likes this
@TerryZ (22076)
• United States
3 Nov 07
No I like the picture you have up now. I love your boxer he is so cute what is his name? Congradulations on your weight loss. Good job you look great.
1 person likes this
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
3 Nov 07
Thank you Terry..Her name is Halo...
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
3 Nov 07
Yes, that was me in the avatar...I have lost 172 lbs. so I keep changing maybe that is why I look different...My face has changed alot..Was it a good picture? I changed it again to me and my boxer, halo...I am fine and because of my weight loss he didn't recognize me but I knew it was him....I don't want him to know what I look like now..It keeps me safe...
@muscare (3068)
• Australia
4 Nov 07
That's not a nice situation for you to be in. At least he didn't recognise you, or it might have been worse for you. As it is, I find it bad enough that you lost your job and he kept his in the first place. I can imagine how glad you were to get home and hope it doesn't play on your mind too much when you're out shopping again.
1 person likes this
@muscare (3068)
• Australia
14 Nov 07
Isn't it good that in the end, that sort of scumbag gets some of what they deserve. Shame the mob you worked for didn't do more about it in the first place.
1 person likes this
@muscare (3068)
• Australia
15 Nov 07
What a shame they didn't sack the right ones in the first place. Sounds like you were better off out of there, and as you say 'what goes around....'
1 person likes this
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
15 Nov 07
Like they say, "what goes around, comes around." All but one of the Mob have been fired too!..What good news that was for me...
@3lilangels (4639)
• United States
3 Nov 07
wow thats so scary hon,sorry you had to go through that.i couldnt even imagine how you felt,and how uncomfortable you felt.im sure you were glad to get home very fast.i would of been a nervous wreck if something like that happened to me.hope you are ok hon and i am thinkin of you.pattie
1 person likes this
• India
3 Nov 07
i dont think your sympathy is going to help her in any way
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
3 Nov 07
Yes Pattie, it was uncomfortable and I was glad to be home... I am not asking for sympathy, just stating what happened and how things like this can stay with a person for a long time and it doesn't matter to the one who causes the pain...they could care less but the victim (me) always remembers....
• United States
3 Nov 07
well thats where you are wrong their varunkrishna0007 my smypathy will help her and she is a very close and dear friend to me,so you need to just worry about your life and stopped busting her chops and everone elses.i have seen your posts and replys on alot of peoples discussions and i feel that is wrong.
1 person likes this
• India
4 Nov 07
Strange, Did this happen in america.Had this been happened here he would not only have fired but would have been behind the bars.I wonder you did not take any action against him.Isn't there any redressal forums there.These matters should not be seen lightly and that's why molesters are being encouraged to repeat the crimes on innocent helpless women.Even now I think you can take neccessary action against him if it is not barred by limitation according to your laws.Better late than never,by taking action you are also helping so many victims of reported and unreported cases of harassment
1 person likes this
@ESKARENA1 (18261)
3 Nov 07
Its scary for you i know. However, it can also be a way to show yourself how far you have moved on. When i casme upon my abuser years after the events, i was the adult to his child like sniveling and it empowered me tremendously blessed be
1 person likes this
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
3 Nov 07
I didn't let on that I knew he was there...I don't talk about him and ignoring him is the best medicine for me...thank you..
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
2 Nov 07
Hugs I am soooo sorry that happened to you!!! I don't know what I would of done if that happened to me other than turn around and thump him one. HOw are you doing? hows your necK?
1 person likes this
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
3 Nov 07
Thank you sweetie...the best part was since my weight loss he didn't recognize me...That was the great thing....I didn't panic and he isn't worth my time...I probably would have got arrested if I would have thumped him...LOL..My neck is so so. Still having pain and tingling..I have to get one more injection and hopefully it will help it some...Love the avatar....
• United States
20 Nov 07
It's crazy that you lost your job!! The law states that the victem is free from any form of retaliation!! Did you ever try to fight this?? As for answering your question. I saw my pediphile uncle at Walmart about a week ago. I hadn't seen him for years and am rehashing a LOT in my weekly group therapy session. So it was kinda akward...
1 person likes this
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
20 Nov 07
I did pursue it but not to the extent that I should have..I settled for $5000.00 just to end it..but that really didn't end it especially since we still live in the same town... I am so sorry that you had to come across your uncle and had to remember those times... I don't dwell on it, but when I saw him it all came back like it had just happened...Take care...
@marabdl86 (615)
• United States
2 Nov 07
I'm so sorry about that :( some guys are really whacked out. They have alot of mental problems they need to help trying to adjust. I'm glad you handled the manner like you did. I know alot of people that would have panicked in your situation. I can't beleive the guy had the guts to walk up behind you like that. it's just crazy how some people act. If you see him stocking you or anything call the police, although I don't really like them either. I personally would have sued your last job for firing you and not him. Goodluck :)
1 person likes this
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
3 Nov 07
Hi marabdl86, I didn't make a scene because he didn't recognize me, due to me having lost a lot of weight..That was a good thing...I knew it was him and for a few minutes the memories came back...He is a creep and doesn't deserve any recognition.. Management was harassing me also and I did settle out of court... Thank you for your kind words...
@ayou82 (3450)
• Philippines
3 Nov 07
If that happens again and tried to abuse you , scream and shout and annoy him to everyone. (only if he comes close to you) And tell him to f*** off tell him to go away... It happened to my friend lastti,e and she was screaming and pointing to that man who harassed her and calling him a maniac and everything. Because she was so scared that this man might do it again. Be safe!
1 person likes this
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
3 Nov 07
Hi ayou, I didn't react to him because he didn't recognize me, due to my losing alot of weight since he last saw me...So I felt safe, but if I would have talked he would have recognized my voice so I just kept quiet till he left....I don't want him to know it is me.....But if he found out I wouldn't hesitate to slug him but he isn't worth my time...
• India
3 Nov 07
thats really scary indeed. I haven't been in the same boat but in aonther boat of the same category.. was sexually haraaed by my house maid for 2 yaers... She brought along a transsexual as well.. really bad experiences.. It has had some bad effects on my mind... so i kinda know how you feel.. Its hard as theese thoughts a embedded into your memory... i feel really sorry for the things happened with.. May god Give you strength to overcome the mentakl depriavement....
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Nov 07
Wow, sorry to hear that this has happen to you. I have not gone through anything like this but I know how if feels. I had something similar happen. I use to go to this gym and this guy would accidentally touch me and I had a bad confrontation with him and my bf. I saw him at the book store one time and I was by myself I made a run for it right out the exit. My bf told me that I should not be afraid of him in a public place. If anyone should run it should be that looser.
1 person likes this
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
20 Nov 07
I am sad to hear this has happened to you..Some guys just don't get it..I agree with your b/f that that guy should be the one leaving, not you...take care.
• United States
2 Nov 07
Sad that you were the one to get fired over that. It would have freaked me out to have him standing so close to me.
1 person likes this
@brendakaya (2332)
• United States
2 Nov 07
That's awful. Why did they fire you for reporting him? Was he a higher up, or something? It's too bad that you didn't go get an employment attorney. I don't know if it would have done any good or not, but it may have been worth a try. If he harassed you, he probably did the same thing to other women. It's horrible that scum get to keep their job, and other people don't. I'm surprised you left the store without slugging him. Most women probably would have.
1 person likes this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
3 Nov 07
Oh no, I have not had this happen to me, but I believe I would have responded the same as you did.. How scary..
1 person likes this