My story of being sexually harassed by a NYC cop
I am inspired by a story in Gawker where they are addressing the stories of women who have been harassed and brutalized by the police. This is my story.
I was 23, it was 1988. I had just finished helping my sister move to New Jersey and was headed home on a hot summer day after schlepping boxes and furniture for 7 hours. I was driving through the city, in midtown. I was sitting at a stop light behind another vehicle and when the light turned green, I started to drive. I turned a corner and a cop waved me over. I had never been stopped by the police before, I pulled over anxiously.
"Did I do something wrong?" I asked.
"You went through the light but that's not important. Can I see your license?"
I knew I hadn't gone through the light but I felt like I had no choice. I handed him my license.
"Yep, your eyes are definitely blue" he said and smiled at me. I didn't reply.
"Where do you work?" he asked. "Do I have to answer that?" I replied. "Only if you want to get home anytime soon" he said.
I gave a vague answer about where I worked and what I did. He then told me to wait in my car. He took my license and walked to his car, I didn't see him again for 45 minutes. At that point he told me that I could go but he would like to see me, would I have dinner with him? I told him I would have to think about it, mostly because I didn't want to be detained further. He handed me back my license and his hands were shaking. He told me I made him nervous.
I drove home incensed and feeling violated. I was pulled over for no good reason, detained against my will and sexually harassed with no way to leave. I never reported it for fear of the repercussions.
That's my story.
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