Stop Street Harassment

Making Public Spaces Safe and Welcoming

Archives for March 2011

Verbally harassed almost daily in Buenos Aires

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There are many stories I can tell, because where I come from street harassment is a very common thing. I could say that every day, or at least every week to be precise I had to face a form of street harassment in Argentina, Buenos Aires. I could name two that I remember very clearly:

  • In a train, being touched by a guy standing behind me as I was getting off the train. My reaction was aggressive, I hit the guy. He shouted that I was a crazy bitch.
  • Walking on the street, a guy walking on the opposite direction, touched me as he was walking by my side. I didn’t react immediately. He didn’t even say anything… he just grabbed me.

Those were, as far as I remember the ones where there was contact. But I could say that me and my friends were practically every day verbally harassed by men on the streets.

– Anonymous

Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina

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Volunteers needed for SlutWalk

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The number one myth I hear around street harassment is that it’s women’s fault because of the way we dress.  That’s also a common myth when you hear about the sexual assault of women. Case in point:

On January 24th, 2011, a representative of the Toronto Police stated, “women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized.”

Outraged folks in Toronto are doing something about that victim-blaming — they’re holding SlutWalk.

SlutWalk is scheduled for Sunday, April 3rd, 2011.
Speeches at 1:30. Walk at 2:00.
Starting location is central Queen’s Park,
heading to Toronto Police Headquarters at 40 College Street.
Facebook Event Page

More on the Why:

“As the city’s major protective service, the Toronto Police have perpetuated the myth and stereotype of ‘the slut’, and in doing so have failed us. With sexual assault already a significantly under-reported crime, survivors have now been given even less of a reason to go to the Police, for fear that they could be blamed. Being assaulted isn’t about what you wear; it’s not even about sex; but using a pejorative term to rationalize inexcusable behaviour creates an environment in which it’s okay to blame the victim.”

Volunteers Needed:

  • March 26: They have a prep day this coming up Saturday where they need people to come help with making signs, etc
  • April 3: They need volunteers on the actual event day
  • Starting Now: They need people to just keep spreading the word through word of mouth/social media/etc.

People interested in volunteering can contact Erika Scholz, at volunteer@slutwalktoronto.com

If you’re not in Toronto, think about starting your satellite SlutWalk, info here.

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“It makes me feel like wearing a bag over my head”

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I’ve never had anything incredibly offensive or disgusting said to me, but I do get catcalls and “Hey baby/sexy” fairly often. Even such seemingly innocuous things as “You look good this morning,” etc. bother me because of the way in which they’re said: nobody will approach you directly and say it to your face; they have to say it AT YOU behind your back, but close enough so they’re still in earshot.

I’ve had people drive beside me and talk at me out of truck windows while I was walking to work. Most of the time I try to ignore it because I don’t want to acknowledge that I heard it (plus I can’t physically or practically fight every douchebag who does it) but I hate feeling so passive, like I just let it happen without doing anything. Sometimes I’ll flip them off. It makes me feel like wearing a bag over my head so people won’t look at me.

– Anonymous

Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Share your street harassment story today and help raise awareness about the problem. Find suggestions for what YOU can do about this human rights issue.

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Thanks for a successful Anti-Street Harassment Day!

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Yesterday was a Field of Dreams, “if you build it they will come” moment for me as the decision I made on the morning of February 20 to make March 20 International Anti-Street Harassment Day turned out to be so successful. I’m inspired by people’s creativity and passion and I appreciate how many people around the world helped make the day a success by spreading the word and planning action.

And actually, a lot of activism is continuing this week. For example, events are taking place tomorrow on campuses in Toronto, Canada, and Delhi, India. Woohoo!

It’s great to see events spread out because after all, we know that one day won’t solve this problem. One day won’t even come close. But it’s still valid that March 20 was a starting point for action and dialogue for many people, and a continuing point for many more.

Let’s keep that momentum going. Here are ideas for what you can do to address street harassment year-round! And guess what, next year will be even bigger!

Anti-Street Harassment Day Activists in Philadelphia

What happened yesterday?

Here’s a quick round up of feedback I’ve received so far about what went down for Anti-Street Harassment Day!

“It was pretty chilly here today, so we didn’t get a fabulous turnout, but we got pictures of us outside City Hall with our [anti-street harassment] signs.”

– Becca Nicole, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

“[Folks in Atlanta] went to Five Points MARTA station yesterday to conduct research. This dude started following us saying, ‘Ladies, can I just stop you for a moment and tell you how pretty you all are?’ So we pointed to our ‘Happy Anti-Street Harassment Day’ sign and said, ‘NO. It is Anti-Street Harassment Day.’ He was …embarrassed and totally backed off. Awesome.”

– HollaBack Atlanta, Georgia

“We had a great team and a great time doing the 14th St community audit … All went well — very useful info, very successful day — we had some really terrific conversations along the way.”

– Marty Langelan, Author of Back Off!, who participated in the DC Community Safety Audit, organized by Stop Street Harassment (me) and Holla Back DC!, Washington, DC

“We had a great time in Philly. Engaged the community and it was well documented. Some of us decided that we want to do outreach more regularly.” [They did a lot of sidewalk chalk messaging]

– Walking Home Filmmaker Nuala Cabral, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

“The Relationship Abuse Prevention Program (RAPP) Peer Leaders at Tottenville High, Staten Island, NY, USA, worked to raise awareness about street harassment on March 21…The students will be tabling all week long.  There also will be a project at Franklin Delano Roosevelt High School in Brooklyn this week.”

– Rona Solomon, Deputy Director, Center Against Domestic Violence, New York

“First Annual Anti-Street Harassment Day went amazingly! We stenciled in 5 locations around town and handed out over 40 fliers to people asking us what we were doing! Also, got to respond to street harassment as it was happening!”

– Hollaback CoMO, Columbia, Missouri

“Handed out about 100 flyers, 10 good conversations, dozens of “thumbs up” and no detractors!!” [This group of five also held anti-street harassment posters]

– Alan Kearl, Astoria, New York (he’s my dad!)

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Women should not be expected to drop everything to cater to men

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Why is it that scrubs always approach me at the most inappropriate time? I was trying to do something important and was not in the mood to be hit on!

I was at the library trying to print something up, and the printer kept giving me trouble. I put a $5 in the machine and it’s not enough for my print job, so I put another $5 in but the time on the printer expired and instead of returning my money as bills it spat out $10 worth of quarters. Great. Shaking my head. Can’t get the library worker’s attention because she’s talking to another patron so I try to handle things myself.

So out of nowhere, this pitiful loser tries to holla at me. He hovers over me and says, “Howya doin’, gurrrl? Gurrl, I luv yo’ dreads.” Seriously?! Why did this guy think I was in the mood to be hit on? I was preoccupied, trying to get a junk printer to work, and trying to retrieve a pile of quarters. Did he think I was going to stop, bat my eyelashes and coo at him? Hell no!

“Can’t you see I’m busy trying to get this damn printer to work and I don’t have the time to talk to you? Does it look like I’m interested in or care what you have to say?!” I snapped. His dumb butt starts snickering.

“You need help wit’ dat?” he asks, obviously not sincere because he’s walking away to leave, and still giggling.

“Obviously!” I said, sarcastically.

He’s gone, but the frustration of dealing with him, plus the frustration of dealing with a silly printer, lingered on me. Eventually I got the printer to work and went about my business, but the reminder that I’m a woman “expected” to visually please men and that I’m supposed to stop what I’m doing at that moment and cater to them is so annoying.

– Tired of Being Harassed

Location: Plaza Library, Arlington, VA

Share your street harassment story today and help raise awareness about the problem. Find suggestions for what YOU can do about this human rights issue.

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