“Brussels police write up an average of two fines a day for verbal abuse, mostly targeted at women and gay people. Verbal abuse, such as cat- or name-calling, is prohibited in the capital since a law against street harassment was passed earlier this year.
“We forward all complaints to the prosecutor, but perpetrators often go unpunished for lack of evidence,” commissioner Christian De Coninck told Het Laatste Nieuws. “An officer can only take action immediately if he happens to overhear something, which has happened 18 times over the past eight months.” The perpetrators were given a so-called GAS fine of between €50 and €250.
The police and Brussels-City mayor Yvan Mayeur urge victims of harassment to always file a complaint. “The more insight we get into how, where and when this is happening, the better we can tackle the issue,” said De Coninck. “Everyone should feel safe on our sidewalks.”
“Saudi Arabia is considering hefty fines and jail sentences of up to five years for sexual harassment, it is reported.
Proposals to tighten punishment for unwanted sexual advances follow a surge in the harassment of women at workplaces, streets and shopping malls, says Arab News website.
These proposals are included in a bill that is being considered by the Social Affairs Committee of the Shura Council. It is a consultative body which has the power to propose draft laws, but not approve them. Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy where the king has a monopoly of power.”
“One woman in Detroit was shot and killed after refusing to give a stranger her phone number. Another woman in New York got her throat slashed for refusing to go on a date with a stranger.
Those are just two examples of violence perpetrated against women over the past week. And while those cases grabbed news headlines, other acts of aggression on the street may have very well gone unreported. Advocates working to stop street harassment say the two incidents are a clear illustration of why catcalls and come-ons aren’t harmless for the people on the receiving end.”
“My name is Kara and I live in Uptown. For the past two months I’ve been working on a campaign to raise money for CTA ads that discourage harassment.
Street harassment is a major issue for me on my block and commute to work, and I wanted to do something to promote awareness. I’ve been working with the CTA’s advertising company on this project, and they seem very willing to help.
I just launched the fundraising page a few days ago, and today I’m having the first meeting with a group of interested people on fundraising ideas and ad content.
If you’re interested in helping/donating/attending the meeting, email me at ctacouragecampaign@gmail.com.”
