Recently I've had a problem with being sexually harassed by an older divorced woman at the gym. It started of with of color regards about how old I was and how strong I was, but as time went on it turned into more inappropriate talk and requests for a squat spotter (this was an assisted machine where there was no spotter required). Of course I was uncomfortable, being 17 and having a woman well into her forties talking to you in a sexual way, but I never thought about doing anything.

One day I lurked my way onto this Subreddit read into what you guys were saying. I was one of those more naive people who thought that we lived in a mostly male dominated world until I saw the astounding amount of evidence towards that being wrong. It inspired me to be proactive in my own sexual harassment problem.

Later that week at the gym my harasser took things to my breaking point. After competing a lift, I went to get some water at the fountain. As I sipped, I got slapped in the butt. I looked up to see the same woman who had verbally harassed me walking on by. I had had enough, and because of the inspiration on this subreddit I took action. I went over to her in an angry rage and told her that I was done with it. I told her very clearly that I was done with her sexual innuendos and advances while threatening to go to the owner of the gym to report her. She laughed at me and said "Do you think anybody is going to believe you?" At that point I stopped everything and walked to the manager at the time to report the problem. She's currently serving her three month suspension of membership.

I would have never had the courage to stand up for myself if it weren't for you guys. This is my favorite subreddit, and I look forward to being a more MRA because of it!