A woman on TikTok is being applauded for confronting a man who was both invading her space, then gaslighting her about it while she was out with friends.
A video shows a man approaching a woman tagged as @callalatrice (Calla), at a bar and bringing his chair uncomfortably close to hers before she shoots him a dirty look.
"Normalize checking men," the video's caption reads.
@haleymcquinn_ Normalize checking men. ##feminism
##womenpower
##womenempowerment @callalatrice
The man, who is clearly invading Calla’s space, rubs his arm against her back, causing her to pull away as he sarcastically shouts, “Oh, s**t! I touched her again!”
The video then jumps to the man lounging on his chair and laughing, explaining that he was speaking to Calla’s friend, not to her.
“You were talking to her about me and talking about my trauma because, yes, for the last f**king 30 years of my life, n***as don’t know how to keep space,” Calla said. “They touch you inappropriately, they talk to you inappropriately, and they be in your motherf**king space inappropriately.”
In the comments, TikTok users did not hesitate to praise Calla and also express understanding for dealing with similar situations.
“Triggered. When they gaslight you and try to make you like you’re overreacting for normally reacting to their disrespect,” a TikToker commented.
“I'm glad she posted this I hate going places and guys invade my space or look at my body. This inspired me not to stay quiet,” a commenter wrote.
“As far as I’m concerned, it’s a pandemic til I die. 6ft distance to everyone forever. BACK UP BOI,” singer-songwriter Jessie Reyez said.
Following the incident, Calla then posted her own video while overlaying her reaction.
“So obtuse…obviously can’t read facial expressions or body language,” she wrote in the caption.
@callalatrice ##duet with @haleymcquinn_ ##personalspace
##entitlement
##women
##womenpower
In 2018, RAINN ((Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) partnered with actor David Schwimmer, the Ad Council and writer-director Sigal Alvin to provide resources and release PSA’s about the many forms of sexual harassment that take place.
“With the national conversation focused on issues of sexual violence, these PSAs send a powerful message that sexual harassment should never be tolerated,” Jodi Omear, vice president of communications at RAINN said. “We are thrilled to partner with David Schwimmer, Sigal Avin, and the Ad Council to help support survivors of sexual harassment and let them know that help is always available on the National Sexual Assault Hotline.”
Schwimmer, who is most notable for his role on the sitcom Friends, added that RAINN’s outreach is “critical” in bringing awareness to instances of both sexual harassment and sexual assault.
“The work RAINN is doing – and has done for more than twenty years – is incalculable,” he said. “They perform a critical, life-saving service to victims of sexual assault and harassment, indiscriminate of age, race or economic status. I couldn’t be more grateful for their partnership and support.”
