Archives for November 2016

We Will Continue Working to Make Public Places Safer for All

November 10, 2016 By HKearl

As an organization that works to make public places safer for everyone, we are dismayed at the rhetoric that the president-elect uses when talking about women. We are upset when he suggests that there are people in our country who should be indiscriminately deported, or who should be prevented from entering our country simply because of their religion. We disagree with the language the president-elect uses and policy plans he suggests which divide us and belittle us.

We are outraged that a sexual abuser will be president.

We fear that the disrespect and hate shown by him to large demographics of the population — including immigrants, persons of color, persons with disabilities, LGBQTIA-identified folks, and all women — will be seen by some as tacit approval to harass and assault those demographics with even greater aggression and audacity.

This makes modeling respectful behavior and speaking out against those who harass, discriminate and abuse others more crucial than ever, as is finding and receiving support if it happens to you.

1. Use our national street harassment hotline (run in partnership with RAINN and Defend Yourself) to find 24/7 support in Spanish and English, online and via secure IM chat.

a. Find ideas for dealing with harassers in the book 50 Stories About Stopping Street Harassers.

b. Make a tax-deductible donation so we can serve even more people on the hotline.

2. Share your story of harassment on our blog to raise awareness. On the blog, you can also share stories about how you did something when you witnessed harassment — inspire others to do something, too.

3. Plan to take action during International Anti-Street Harassment Week and help bring local and international attention to the issues. April 2-8, 2017, www.meetusonthestreet.org.

4. If you’re in the Washington, D.C. area and witness or experience harassment on the transit system, you can report it.

Rest assured, we will continue working to make public spaces more welcoming for all. Join us. Together, we must ensure that justice, equality and love prevail.

The Stop Street Harassment Board of Directors

“I had to sacrifice my run for these men”

November 9, 2016 By Contributor

I was fifteen years old. I was running outside alone on the street in a sports bra, without a shirt on, because it was hot and I have problems running in the heat (even a light tank top makes a difference). I was being stared at by many middle aged men and once I was honked at by what looked like some twenty year old guy in beat up truck. I was appalled because I clearly look like a fifteen year old and he had to be twenty. I ran with my shirt on for the remainder and ran slower so I would not get too hot. I had to sacrifice my run for these men.

Optional: What’s one way you think we can make public places safer for everyone?

I have no clue. We now will have a bad role model for president. If Mr. President can “grab people by the pussy” then what is stopping other men?

– SW

Location: Longboat Key, FL

Need support? Call the toll-free National Street Harassment hotline: 855-897-5910

Share your street harassment story for the blog.
See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for ideas.

45% of American Women Have Experienced Unwanted Sexual Touching

November 7, 2016 By HKearl

A new phone poll of more than 1,000 randomly selected registered female voters in the USA finds that sexual abuse is common. Among the findings, 56% had experienced “catcalling” and 45% had experienced unwanted sexual touching.

“He told me I had ‘No where to run.’

November 5, 2016 By Contributor

I was walking to school, and when I was nearing the bottom of a hill a construction worker looked at me, smiled, and as I passed he told me I had “No where to run.” This type of thing had never happened to me before,it was the middle of the day. I love walking to school but I don’t know when I’ll be comfortable with it again.

Optional: What’s one way you think we can make public places safer for everyone?

Maybe get into the habit of reporting people instead of just letting it go because the persons “a jerk who won’t actually do anything”.

– Anonymous

Location: San Francisco, a block from Lombard Street

Need support? Call the toll-free National Street Harassment hotline: 855-897-5910

Share your street harassment story for the blog.
See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for ideas.

New Transit Ads in Boston Focus on Persons with Disabilities

November 4, 2016 By HKearl

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has launched a new wave of ads! 800 posters will be on public transit until February.

Via Boston Globe:

“The campaign is explicitly inclusive of people with disabilities, both as people who may experience sexual harassment and as people who can intervene to prevent sexual violence,” Yen-Ewert said. “National and state studies show that people with disabilities experience sexual violence at two times the rate compared to people without disabilities.”

Karen Schneiderman, the senior advocacy specialist at the Boston Center for Independent Living, said the campaign “raises awareness about the issue of sexual violence against people with disabilities and the importance of having services that are accessible to all. I also appreciate that this campaign highlights people with disabilities in the role of assisting others, not just as people who are victimized.”

Learn more at MBTA.com.

Way to go, Boston! I also appreciate how they say they can be people who intervene, as well people who experience sexual harassment, recognizing they can have agency and take action.

MBTA has a nearly nine year history of anti-harassment ads. The first wave of ads went up in 2008, the next in 2009 and then the next in 2013. I’m glad to see them continue tackling this issue. Kudos also goes to the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center for their partnership on the ads over the years.

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