Miss Universe shares disgusting carpark encounter with three men

Former Miss Universe Maria Thattil recounts the moment she stood up to three men harassing her in a Melbourne carpark.

Former Miss Universe Maria Thattil has shared the terrifying moment she was catcalled by three men who “howled” at her “like a dog” in a Melbourne carpark.

The 29-year-old was alone at the time and said she already “nervous” to park her car due to three men loitering in the isolated carpark – and it wasn’t long before the harassment began.

After exiting her vehicle, she recalled how the group began howling at her “like a dog” and yelling out “why are you so fine?” as she tried to walk into her building.

Maria indicated that this was not the first time this had happened. Picture: Instagram / @mariathattil

She said the men were "howling" at her "like a dog". Picture: Instagram / @mariathattil

“I just parked my car, and I was nervous to park my car because there were three guys in the car park, it was kind of isolated,” she explained in an Instagram video captioned ‘another day, another incident’.

“I just parked my car anyway and I’m like ‘Oh, I’ll walk back to my building’, and straight away the cat calling. ‘Why are you so fine’, howling at me like a dog.”

Angered and distressed, Maria decided to fight back against her harassers by calling them out on their behaviour – and was met with a surprising response.

Maria decided to stand up to her harassers. Picture: Instagram / @mariathattil

Surprisingly, the three men apologised for their behaviour. Picture: Instagram / @mariathattil

“I literally just turned around and I’m like ‘I just want to let you know I don’t appreciate being catcalled because it literally doesn’t make me feel safe” she said.

“You know what? They actually apologised. They were like ‘you know what, no, actually we’re sorry.’”

In a follow up video, she stated that although she was glad they apologised, she wouldn't be “applauding mediocre basic behaviour”.
“They could have turned around and been super aggressive, it could have gone any which way.

She noted that it might not always be safe to fight back against catcalling. Picture: Instagram / @mariathattil

Maria said it's important to have these conversations around catcalling. Picture: Instagram / @mariathattil

“But I just think that we see enough, we hear enough and women talk about it enough now that I think you have enough access to information to know cat calling isn’t cool and it makes people feel unsafe, so don’t do it.”

After sharing her experienced, the 2020 Miss Universe Australia said she received an influx of messages from women who had also been subjected to street harassment.

Maria also noted in later Instagram stories that while she felt confident to stand up to her harassers this time, women need to exercise caution before hitting back at catcallers.

Maria said she wasn't doing to applaud the men apologising. Picture: Instagram / @mariathattil

Maria said she received lots of messages from others who has experienced catcalling. Picture: Instagram / @mariathattil

“There are a number of different ways you can respond to catcalling, and I think it is really important to stand up to street harassment” she said.

“But if it compromises your safety or your wellbeing in any way, don’t do it.

“For me, I made a judgment in that moment. It was daylight, I had enough space between myself and those gentlemen to say what I wanted to say.

“But sometimes it is unsafe, and I don’t think you should put your safety at risk to engage with people like that.”

Originally published as Miss Universe shares disgusting carpark encounter with three men