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Stand up.
In need of a more servicey approach to the Sexist's groping series? Here's a collection of sexual assault resources for victims of groping—and everyone else.
KNOW THE LAW.
D.C.: Groping is sexual abuse. In D.C. unlawful sexual contact is defined as: "touching with any clothed or unclothed body part or any object, either directly or through the clothing, of the genitalia, anus, groin, breast, inner thigh, or buttocks of any person with an intent to abuse, humiliate, harass, degrade, or arouse or gratify the desire of any person," without that person's consent.
VIRGINIA: Groping is sexual abuse. In Virginia, unlawful sexual contact is defined as: "The accused intentionally touches the complaining witness's intimate parts or material directly covering such intimate parts"—including their genitalia, anus, groin, breast, or buttocks—without that person's consent.
MARYLAND: Groping is sexual abuse. In Maryland, unlawful sexual contact is defined as: "intentional touching of the victim's or actor's genital, anal, or other intimate area for sexual arousal or gratification, or for the abuse of either party," without that person's consent.
REPORT YOUR GROPE.
Call 911.
Contact police Sexual Assault Units in D.C., Virginia, or Maryland.
If you've been groped on the Metro in any jurisdiction, contact Metro Transit Police.
For more specific assistance in D.C., contact the Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Liaison Unit, the Latino Liaison Unit, or the Asian Liaison Unit.
SAY SOMETHING.
Submit your story for publication in the Sexist.
Hollaback D.C. publishes stories from women who have been sexually assaulted or catcalled in public.
Stop Street Harassment collects accounts of street harassment from women around the world.
LEARN MORE.
Defend Yourself offers a variety of self-defense classes, including one specifically targeted at addressing street harassment.
Hollaback D.C.'s Street Harassment Map charts incidents of harassment by intersection.
GET HELP.
D.C. SANE Program. Based out of Washington Hospital Center, the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner provides care for sexual assault victims in need of medical attention.
D.C. Rape Crisis Center provides support for victims of all kinds of sexual assault.
BE AN ALLY.
How Bystanders Can Help, with advice from Lauren Taylor of Defend Yourself.
Men Can Stop Rape organizes men to help prevent sexual assault before it starts.
READ MORE ON HARASSMENT IN D.C.:
"Nice Ass!," Washington City Paper, June 2007
"Diary of a Catcall Hater," Washington City Paper, June 2007
"Too Sexy For My Shirt," Salon, May 1999
"The Assertive Response to 'Hey, Baby,'" [PDF], Washington Post, October 2003.
* Know of additional resources for groping victims and allies? Submit them here.
Photo via luisvilla, Creative Commons Attribution License 2.0