Thanks for the articles and Petite, thanks for sharing. I think you're encounter happens more often to women than people realize. I don't go to clubs. I don't go to packed bars. I am very cautious, but then again, I've learned to be. But at a church?? I dreaded reading your story because I knew the further along I went the more the reaction to your talk with the priest would be what you said....doubting you, questioning your behavior....all of that.
I think the articles really say it all, don't they? Some men might think this is hitting on a woman, they might actually think it's funny and they're flattering her, but in reality, our bodies are not there for anyone to simply touch if and when they want to. It really is as simple as that. My personal space is mine and it's not open to being touched by anyone else. How hard is that to understand? *sigh*
I've also not encountered grabbing as much in the nicer pubs, restaurants, and social clubs with my friends. Not that it isn't there. The church atmosphere simply proves that some people believe they are unstoppable, because, really, what are you going to do? Like you said, scream?
Very sad that this happened to you, Petite.