“Then my inner Scrappy-Doo took over”

In North County Times, Louise Esola wrote about a recent street harassment experience and what she ended up doing. Here’s an excerpt:

“It happens a lot to women.

Hey baby. What’s your name? Looking good there.

The latest incident sort of threw me sideways.

There I was, pushing a double stroller the size of a Ford Explorer, when a man in a local landscaping truck decided that, despite the cluster of kids riding their bikes in the street and the fact that it is recommended that those driving vehicles watch the road ahead of them, that it would be perfectly acceptable to whistle at me, wave his hand, and watch me.

Creepy.

…

When I got home from my walk, I found myself rethinking my route. My outfit. (I guess I shouldn’t wear shorts this summer.) My neighborhood. (Maybe I should just stick to my treadmill?)

And then my inner Scrappy-Doo took over. I got angry, looked up the landscaping company, phoned the manager and gave him a very firm and educational earful.

The manager was very understanding and called me back to tell me that he didn’t want to fire the individual —- “The guy needs the money” — but that he gave him a hefty “talking-to.”

Am I satisfied? Yes, because I have just succeeded in educating one more person: a lesson that this behavior is not OK.”

Good for you, Louise! None of us should be made to feel unsafe and objectified just for walking down the street. I think reporting harassers to employers, when applicable, is one of the most effective ways to respond to the problem.

For inspiration, here are a few more stories about people reporting their harassers, plus general info about reporting harassers to the police, transportation authorities, and businesses.