Stop Street Harassment

Making Public Spaces Safe and Welcoming

Archives for March 2017

“People should never feel uncomfortable walking around”

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Recently, as my friend and I walk to my apartment, I noticed a man standing in the corner of the block. I was extremely uncomfortable because he glanced at us-specifically, me. He whispered something to me, but I was unable to hear it because of the noises around the neighborhood. For a second, I thought that it was probably my imagination, only to realize the man was following us as we walked around.

I began to walk gradually slower and make a random excuse that I needed to enter a pharmacy. However, the man simply slowed his steps and walked ahead, while I explained that we were being followed. As we continued to walk slowly and cautiously, the man began to turn around and walk toward us, whispering obscene, unwanted sexual remarks as he walked past us. Honestly, it was a disturbing situation, seeing that he was middle-aged adult and my friend and I are still teenagers. Unfortunately, because I live directly in front of the site, we hurriedly ran into a nearby supermarket, waited for a while for our other friend, and left through the other exit.

This was one of the few times I have experienced street harassment. This experience, however, left me agitated. I was appalled by how someone could even consider making unwanted advances, especially how someone could follow someone and make them worried to simply go outside.

Also, I think it’s important to remember that street harassment does happen simply because one is wearing a provocative attire, as others had claimed numerous times. That day, I have returned from school, still clothed in my gym uniform that consisted of a simple t-shirt and sweatpants. Honestly, I was a mess that day, exhausted and having my hair fly around from the wind. However, regardless of what someone wears, people should never feel uncomfortable walking around.

– Anonymous

Location: Manhattan, New York City (The Lower East Side)

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.

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International Women’s Day 2017

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It’s International Women’s Day! The Guardian is tracking live actions and protests as they happen around the world. Share what’s happening where you are with @Claire_Phipps.

In the U.S. context, the Women’s March called for A Day Without a Woman, while others have organized a similar Women’s Strike (that many people around the world are joining). The goal is for women to not engage in paid or unpaid labor (if they can), to not spend money (or only at women-only businesses) and to wear red. There are been many articles flying around about who has the privilege to participate or not, what the purpose of the strike is, and so forth.

Because there are many ways to join, I think it allows persons from a wide range of backgrounds to join in.

What I think is harder is to know what is the end game. If we literally were all walking off the job that would be more apparent. But is wearing red and not shopping for a day really going to have the same kind of impact? I know the point is to show women’s daily contributions but to what end? What would change?

I personally will still be working; as a consultant I don’t have vacation or sick days or personal leave, and, more importantly, since I work from home, my “absence” from work would be physically noticed by no one. But I will wear red and refrain from purchases. If the stakes were higher, if it seemed that my not working would result in concrete change, then yes, I’d force the issue with my employers, as surely would more women like me. But without a clear goal and set possible outcomes to our actions, it’s tough to want to “go all in,” so to speak.

I know that striking can work. We saw it work well in Iceland a few decades ago when women there went on strike (which is easier to do in a small country) and it’s worked in protests like the Montgomery bus boycott that was led and primarily carried out by Black women. There were clear cut goals to those strikes. That’s what I feel we are missing. What would we achieve if we really truly did all step away from our jobs, obligations and wallets?

Nonetheless, much solidarity to all who are joining and to all who will be advocating for women’s equality in whatever way(s) they can.

In the SSH context, for IWD you can advocate for women’s equality in public spaces by 1) planning to join International Anti-Street Harassment Week from April 2 to 8, 2) sharing your story for our blog, and/or 3) donating to help fund the National Street Harassment Hotline.

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“You can be compassionate while still deflecting those comments

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I was walking my dog in my neighborhood one afternoon. A group of young men were walking in front of us. They stopped and my dog and I walked by them. One of the guys asked me, “Hey are you going to take me for a walk?” I turned around and said “Nope.” They were all laughing and the one who kept talking to me would continue with his remarks.

When I turned on to my street, he called at me again, “When are you going to take me for a walk?” I stopped and turned around. “Excuse me?” I said. He walked over with a big grin on his face and said “You can walk me if you want.”

I asked him, “How are you going to talk to a perfect stranger like that? I don’t even know you.”

He started laughing a little nervously and asked what my dog’s name is. “Leaving. Her name is Leaving.”

I turned around and started walking home. I heard his friends all laughing in the background. It was a conscious effort not to go down the path of anger.

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

Compassion. It’s a daily practice when it comes to cat calling behavior. You can be compassionate while still deflecting those comments.

– Anonymous

Location: Brooklyn, NY

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.

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“I felt ashamed for more than that reason”

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I was in middle school, I think, and I was with some friends hanging out at a park. I had trouble climbing the fence and my friends tried to encourage me to do it without help. An elderly man came by and tried to “help” me over but also groped my ass for way too long. I felt ashamed for more than that reason and grossed out. My friends at the time thought it was funny.

– Anonymous

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.

Share

“I felt objectified”

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At university, walking back to my house from the gym, a car slowed so the driver could lean out of his window and yell, “Nice ass!” as he passed. I felt objectified, like all the work I’d been doing for my body and my health were taken so men could enjoy looking at me and feeling powerful.

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

Men need to step up!

– ET

Location: Hamilton, NY

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.

Share