Stop Street Harassment

Making Public Spaces Safe and Welcoming

“It makes me feel like wearing a bag over my head”

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I’ve never had anything incredibly offensive or disgusting said to me, but I do get catcalls and “Hey baby/sexy” fairly often. Even such seemingly innocuous things as “You look good this morning,” etc. bother me because of the way in which they’re said: nobody will approach you directly and say it to your face; they have to say it AT YOU behind your back, but close enough so they’re still in earshot.

I’ve had people drive beside me and talk at me out of truck windows while I was walking to work. Most of the time I try to ignore it because I don’t want to acknowledge that I heard it (plus I can’t physically or practically fight every douchebag who does it) but I hate feeling so passive, like I just let it happen without doing anything. Sometimes I’ll flip them off. It makes me feel like wearing a bag over my head so people won’t look at me.

– Anonymous

Location: Atlanta, Georgia

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Thanks for a successful Anti-Street Harassment Day!

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Yesterday was a Field of Dreams, “if you build it they will come” moment for me as the decision I made on the morning of February 20 to make March 20 International Anti-Street Harassment Day turned out to be so successful. I’m inspired by people’s creativity and passion and I appreciate how many people around the world helped make the day a success by spreading the word and planning action.

And actually, a lot of activism is continuing this week. For example, events are taking place tomorrow on campuses in Toronto, Canada, and Delhi, India. Woohoo!

It’s great to see events spread out because after all, we know that one day won’t solve this problem. One day won’t even come close. But it’s still valid that March 20 was a starting point for action and dialogue for many people, and a continuing point for many more.

Let’s keep that momentum going. Here are ideas for what you can do to address street harassment year-round! And guess what, next year will be even bigger!

Anti-Street Harassment Day Activists in Philadelphia

What happened yesterday?

Here’s a quick round up of feedback I’ve received so far about what went down for Anti-Street Harassment Day!

“It was pretty chilly here today, so we didn’t get a fabulous turnout, but we got pictures of us outside City Hall with our [anti-street harassment] signs.”

– Becca Nicole, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

“[Folks in Atlanta] went to Five Points MARTA station yesterday to conduct research. This dude started following us saying, ‘Ladies, can I just stop you for a moment and tell you how pretty you all are?’ So we pointed to our ‘Happy Anti-Street Harassment Day’ sign and said, ‘NO. It is Anti-Street Harassment Day.’ He was …embarrassed and totally backed off. Awesome.”

– HollaBack Atlanta, Georgia

“We had a great team and a great time doing the 14th St community audit … All went well — very useful info, very successful day — we had some really terrific conversations along the way.”

– Marty Langelan, Author of Back Off!, who participated in the DC Community Safety Audit, organized by Stop Street Harassment (me) and Holla Back DC!, Washington, DC

“We had a great time in Philly. Engaged the community and it was well documented. Some of us decided that we want to do outreach more regularly.” [They did a lot of sidewalk chalk messaging]

– Walking Home Filmmaker Nuala Cabral, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

“The Relationship Abuse Prevention Program (RAPP) Peer Leaders at Tottenville High, Staten Island, NY, USA, worked to raise awareness about street harassment on March 21…The students will be tabling all week long.  There also will be a project at Franklin Delano Roosevelt High School in Brooklyn this week.”

– Rona Solomon, Deputy Director, Center Against Domestic Violence, New York

“First Annual Anti-Street Harassment Day went amazingly! We stenciled in 5 locations around town and handed out over 40 fliers to people asking us what we were doing! Also, got to respond to street harassment as it was happening!”

– Hollaback CoMO, Columbia, Missouri

“Handed out about 100 flyers, 10 good conversations, dozens of “thumbs up” and no detractors!!” [This group of five also held anti-street harassment posters]

– Alan Kearl, Astoria, New York (he’s my dad!)

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Women should not be expected to drop everything to cater to men

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Why is it that scrubs always approach me at the most inappropriate time? I was trying to do something important and was not in the mood to be hit on!

I was at the library trying to print something up, and the printer kept giving me trouble. I put a $5 in the machine and it’s not enough for my print job, so I put another $5 in but the time on the printer expired and instead of returning my money as bills it spat out $10 worth of quarters. Great. Shaking my head. Can’t get the library worker’s attention because she’s talking to another patron so I try to handle things myself.

So out of nowhere, this pitiful loser tries to holla at me. He hovers over me and says, “Howya doin’, gurrrl? Gurrl, I luv yo’ dreads.” Seriously?! Why did this guy think I was in the mood to be hit on? I was preoccupied, trying to get a junk printer to work, and trying to retrieve a pile of quarters. Did he think I was going to stop, bat my eyelashes and coo at him? Hell no!

“Can’t you see I’m busy trying to get this damn printer to work and I don’t have the time to talk to you? Does it look like I’m interested in or care what you have to say?!” I snapped. His dumb butt starts snickering.

“You need help wit’ dat?” he asks, obviously not sincere because he’s walking away to leave, and still giggling.

“Obviously!” I said, sarcastically.

He’s gone, but the frustration of dealing with him, plus the frustration of dealing with a silly printer, lingered on me. Eventually I got the printer to work and went about my business, but the reminder that I’m a woman “expected” to visually please men and that I’m supposed to stop what I’m doing at that moment and cater to them is so annoying.

– Tired of Being Harassed

Location: Plaza Library, Arlington, VA

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“Lose some weight you tramp!”

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Just before 5 p.m. on March 19th I was walking along Shude Hill in Manchester, next to the shopping centre. As I reached the crossing next to the bus station I became aware of a man standing alone on the other side shouting abuse at virtually every woman walking past. Anyone dressed up nicely was nasty, dirty, a slut, a whore, a tart etc, and I caught part of a bizarre threat involving rectal insertion directed at one teenage girl. As I walked past I got, “Lose some weight you tramp!” screamed right in my ear.

He was really close to me, and I just turned round and screamed ‘Who the **** are you?’ which did shut him up for about three seconds before he started on other women again. Everyone else just walked past ignoring him. He was just one guy on his own. I was terrified of what he might do after I shouted at him, but I was so angry that nobody was standing up to him. It took me about an hour to stop shaking.

– AJ

Location: Manchester, UK

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“The feeling of being trapped and helpless was quite strong.”

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Around 11:30 or 12 one night after work, I took a bus route that required me to walk a few blocks to my apartment. My building is right on a busy street and the front door was always unlocked. Among the people on the bus were a group of giddy young girls and an older, shady-looking man. He had been focused on the girls, but when I stood up for my stop, he got off the bus with me.

He followed me for three blocks, while I crossed and re-crossed the street and paused to see if he would pass (he didn’t). I reached my building but was afraid to go in because he would see it was unlocked. I waited at a well-lit bus stop, where a young man was waiting as well. The stalker remained across the street, occasionally staring at me (I stared back) and patiently waiting for me to move. I contemplated crossing the street to talk to him, but reflected the streets were quiet and he might be stronger (and faster) than he looked. I was stuck and helpless.

Fortunately, my live-in boyfriend was at home and came out to walk me around the back and inside my building, but otherwise, I would have had few options – nearly all the stores were closed and I didn’t have any friends nearby. The feeling of being trapped and helpless was quite strong. As a young woman, I am tired of being targeted by unsavory, creepy men. I shouldn’t have to walk around with a constant fear of being followed, watched or accosted.

– Victoria

Location: Eglinton Ave. W and Avenue Road, Toronto, Canada

Share your street harassment story today and help raise awareness about the problem. Find suggestions for what YOU can do about this human rights issue.

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