When I walked to work, I would take long detours to avoid road or building works, as this usually meant braving a barrage of cat calls (‘complimentary’ and insulting). Once a bunch of builders all blew raspberries as I walked past, although one of their colleagues working away from them had forewarned me to avoid them. This doesn’t happen so much now, which might be because I’m older (result!) or because site managers are more aware that this behaviour is being seen as unacceptable. It’s intimidating and just makes me really angry.
Optional: What’s one way you think we can make public places safer for everyone?
Just continue with the campaign to make it seem less acceptable and allow offenders to be named and shamed if they are caught on film.
– Anonymous
Location: Nottingham, UK
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.
