Stop Street Harassment

Making Public Spaces Safe and Welcoming

“This has to stop. My body is my own.”

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On an unusually hot afternoon I headed to a local market in Whitechapel to pick up some fabric from one of the stalls. Because of the weather I was wearing a strap top and long loose fitting trousers, with a tiny bit of midriff on show.

The abuse I received seemed to get worse as the day went on. The first man to harass me said, ‘Thank you’, to which instinctively I responded ‘For what?’, his reply, ‘For lighting up my day with your beauty’. Though for some women this might seem “sweet” or a “compliment”, I resent the fact that the way I look overrides my the person I am.

As I walked from Liverpool Street to Whitechapel, various men whistles and beeped their car horns at me, some I passed in the street whispering, “Alright gorgeous,” under their breath in voices that made my skin crawl.

But when one white van passed me I felt like I was about to burst out in tears. One man leered out, shouting at me, “You alright love you look all aroused – I can see your nips.”

On the busy street everyone turned round to look at me and I felt shamed for choosing to wear the clothes I had put on that morning.

This has to stop. My body is my own.

– Anonymous

Location: London, UK

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Impact Bay Area: Self Defense Course

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The Little Bird project uses art to raise awareness about street harassment as a human rights issue (www.thelittlebirdprojectsf.org).  We work in the Bay Area, where, according to statistics compiled by Stop Street Harassment, 100% of women surveyed are harassed at least occasionally.  We also know that 90% of women experience street harassment by the age of 19.  With these numbers in mind – and a full understanding of how terrifying and dangerous street harassment can be – we wanted to let our family of activists and readers know about some amazing self-defense resources in the Bay Area this summer.
The Little Bird works with an exceptional self defense non-profit called Impact Bay Area, which provides full-force self defense classes for people of all genders, teaching people of all ages and body types how to respond effectively to threatening situations (www.impactbayarea.org).  In addition to its classes for adults, Impact is providing several classes this summer geared specifically to young women.  (Scholarships available for qualifying individuals.) Empower yourself (and/or your children “leaving the nest”) by enrolling in the following:
“On Her Own” Young Adult course (Young women age 17-22): June 14-16 in San Jose, CA (sign up here)
Visit www.impactbayarea.org for more information on its range of courses for individuals, groups, and businesses.  Stay safe and love yourself!
By Sarah Harper, Founder and Project Director for the Little Bird project

https://twitter.com/LittleBirdSF

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“I was targeted as a woman with children”

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I was walking through the Queensgate Shopping Centre in Peterborough with my two small children; one of them a baby; the other an autistic toddler. I saw a LOVEFiLM display and moved to avoid them. The salesman walked over and I politely said no thank you. I tried to move on and he stood in front of my pram and I said no.

He then became very aggressive and started shouting, “No, no? You don’t say no to me; nobody says no to me.”

I was very frightened – as a rape victim these are particularly terrifying words. I said that they were representing their company and being rude. I looked to the other salesman for back-up and he just started laughing at me. I walked away with both assistants shouting after me. I had to get my husband to pick me up as I was too scared to walk back through the shopping centre.

I contacted Lovefilm and they said sorry but they have to protect the statutory rights of the employee. Apparently, my right not to be abused in public is secondary.

I cannot help but think this would not have happened if I was a six foot male. I was targeted as a woman with children.

– Anonymous

Location: Queensgate Shopping Centre in Peterborough, UK

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Ottawa Community Calls for Increased Safety Measures on Public Transit

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Cross-posted with permission from Hollaback! Ottawa.

May 15, 2013 Hollaback! Ottawa, in partnership with WISE: Women’s Initiatives for Safer Environments, hosted an open forum where approximately 70 community members gathered in the Bronson Centre to discuss the issue of safety on Ottawa’s public transit.

Transit riders were given the space to share their experiences through an open mic, a survey and an anonymous story drop-off. Participants spoke about being followed home from transit stops, being groped by fellow passengers, witnessing public masturbation on transit and being followed from seat to seat by belligerent men. They spoke about idle bystanders and the various reasons they never reported it.  Although their stories varied, there was a consistent call for increased awareness of the issue.

The latter portion of the evening included a short presentation on Hollaback! Ottawa’s vision for safer transit. Hollaback! Ottawa has been calling for the creation of a public awareness campaign focusing on bystander intervention. Using case studies from other communities across North America, Hollaback! showed examples of successful bystander intervention campaigns and then opened the floor for feedback.

There was a lively discussion about the need for increased awareness about the prevalence of harassment and assault on transit, the importance of making information accessible and a stronger response from OC Transpo, City Hall and the Ottawa Police Service. From the animated dialogue came five solid recommendations.

In order to address safety on transit, participants recommended:

1-     Creation of a campaign that clearly identifies the issue so that transit riders are better equipped to spot the problem.

2-     Creation of a campaign that visibly lays out existing services and reporting mechanisms.

3-     Creation of a public education campaign that focuses on tangible ways that people can safely intervene.

4-     Increased training for drivers, Special Constables, maintenance staff, etc.

5-     Creation of an anonymous reporting mechanism to encourage reporting.

Furthermore, participants were adamant that a partnership between community organizations and OC Transpo and Ottawa Police Service was vital. Seeing a visible partnership would send a strong message to the community that safety is genuinely a priority on public transit.

Hollaback! Ottawa launched a qualitative survey on May 15 that will be closing on July 1, 2013. A full report of the survey results and detailed information from the forum will be made available mid-July.

For more information: Julie Lalonde, Hollaback! Ottawa:  Ottawa@ihollaback.org

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“I have never wanted to disappear more”

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My boyfriend dropped me off about three blocks away from where I was supposed to meet my friend for brunch. Two guys were walking behind me and they began to talk loudly about all of the things they wanted to sexually do to me, how I probably liked it, etc.

I ignored them and kept walking. They continued to follow me. I had to stop at a busy intersection and they caught up to me. One of them got in front of me and when I ignored him and tried to walk around him they started calling me a “whore, slut, bitch,” and a “dog.”

Yelling these things as they followed me for a good block before turning off onto another street. Everyone was just staring at me.

I have never wanted to disappear more than in that moment.

– Anonymous

Location: Boston, MA

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