Stop Street Harassment

Making Public Spaces Safe and Welcoming

Archives for February 2010

Weekly Round Up Feb. 28, 2010

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Stories:

I accept street harassment submissions from anywhere in the world. Share your story!

In the News:

  • A truck driver in Frederick, MD, harasses a girl walking to school by throwing rose petals and candy at her.

Announcements:

Resource of the Week:

  • Know your Power Campaign from the University of New Hampshire — it focuses on the power bystanders have to make a difference when harassment and assault is occurring.
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Know Your Power Campaign

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Photo from U of NH

I  love this new media campaign out of the University of New Hampshire. It encourages everyone to be good bystanders and know your power, step in, and speak up because we can all make a difference in preventing or stopping violence and showing others that it is socially unacceptable behavior.

They’ve got tons of great resources on how to intervene as a bystander – and the effectiveness of this approach – posters you can order and lots of related information. For example, here’s a checklist they put together:

Questions to Ask Before I Take Action

  • Am I aware there is a problem or risky situation?
  • Do I recognize someone needs help?
  • Do I see others and myself as part of the solutions?

Questions to Ask During the Situation

  • How can I keep myself safe?
  • What are my available options?
  • Are there others I may call upon for help?
  • What are the benefits/costs for taking action?

Decision to Take Action

  • When to act?

I know bystander intervention can be scary but it is really important. Most people don’t agree with violent behavior but if we are silent and let it happen, it will continue to happen.

Here’s more information on what we, especially men, can do.

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Queering sexual violence – call for submissions

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“Queering Sexual Violence seeks 20- 25 LGBTQ writers who are interested in submitting pieces that confront the current state of our anti- sexual violence climate. Part memoir/ part criticism/ part call to action, this anthology seeks to address the limitations of a society that is not only unequipped to deal with rape culture but also unable to look at it without the lens of heterosexual privilege and through the interests of a gender binary system. The anthology seeks to destroy the image of the “perfect survivor” and motivate the anti-sexual violence community to embrace a more radical perspective in order to foster sustainable change….

Please send submissions and/ or questions to queeringsexualviolence@gmail.com by March 31, 2010. Please also repost and circulate widely.”

Read more and learn how you can be involved

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Can you predict another person’s actions?

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Dr. Kimberly Fairchild, co-author of “Everyday Stranger Harassment and Women’s Self-Objectification,” is looking for survey respondents for a new study. Let’s help her out!

“I’m conducting a study on the ability to predict another person’s actions and personality and we need participants. Our research suggests that even from limited information people can make accurate judgments about the dominant traits, emotional reactions, and behaviors of other people.  The survey takes about 20 minutes to complete.  If you are interested in participating, follow the link below.”
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Bus stop harassment

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I was leaving an open stage I performed at regularly at about midnight. I had to wait for the bus, but I was on a well-lit street, so I wasn’t too worried. A car full of young men drove by. One of them hung his head out the window and yelled, “Hey slut!” The driver honked at me.

I gave them the finger. I was scared that they might stop and do something worse to me, but my pride won over my fear. They gave me the finger back and drove away.

– MH

Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada

Share your street harassment story today and help raise awareness about the problem. Include your location and it will be added to the Street Harassment Map.

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