I was rated by a group of middle-aged builders as I was walking home. After spotting me they started to shout numbers and loudly ‘rate’ my attractiveness out of ten. Pretty sad and intimidating to be walking along and a group of adults actually stop work and start loudly proclaiming your perceived value at you. They do this because they think they can get away with it but also because society at large has allowed this type of behaviour to continue/be acceptable. Nobody said anything to them.
Another builder in Bristol shouted patronizing comments at me as I walked down a side road near the University. The pavement had been blocked but I couldn’t see that from where I was walking. I heard, “Oh, well done sweetheart” (sarcastically) and when I did see the sign he shouted, “Well done, that’s it” (sarcastic). Absolutely no problem was caused by my actions. There was no need at all for a professional to shout such sarcastic comments except for the fact he knew he would get away with it and I am a woman in the street, therefore fair game.
There have been a depressing amount of times in my life where similar instances have occurred. I know this is also true of many female friends.
Optional: What’s one way you think we can make public places safer for everyone?
I honestly believe that men (but people generally) conduct poor behaviour in the street towards others because they feel they have a right to/can get away with it/society doesn’t do anything to them. Men who go for women in the street know there behaviour is not challenged in society. This is the root cause of much of street harassment – no punishment or shame comes back on those that do it.
We need to educate people in schools/universities, but make it visible in society generally, that any form of street harassment is just that: Harassment.
Educate that such behaviour isn’t correct but further, ask those around the people who do harass to step up. If a guys mates actually told him to stop, that would be powerful.
If someone in any professional capacity harasses you, do not be submissive. Take a picture of the person/where it happened or a company van or whatever and contact that company directly explaining what happened and make a complaint. Write a review explaining what happened on their company website. Make it public, make their behaviour visible.
– Miss Student
Location: Bristol UK
Share your street harassment story for the blog.
See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for more idea
