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Most Sexual Abuse on London Tube Happens During Rush Hour

January 10, 2016 By HKearl

New information was released about sexual abuse on the London Tube.

“The majority of sexual assaults on the Tube are committed during peak travel times, according to new figures which challenge the popular belief that women are most at risk when travelling late at night.

Statistics from the British Transport Police (BTP) showed that between 1 January 2014 and 8 December 2015, 322 sexual assaults were reported on the London Underground network between 5pm and 7pm, along with 291 from 8am until 10am. This compares to just 110 between 11pm and 1am.

Sarah Green, the acting director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, said: “These figures tell a compelling story about how sexual harassment is mostly experienced during daytime commuter journeys – not during late-night social hours.”

The findings “explode a myth that women who have been drinking or who are dressed a certain way provoke sexual harassment, because the victims at peak morning and early evening travel times are largely working women making commuter journeys”, she added.”

This has also been true on other transit systems where data have been collected. It shows that the advice to women to stay in at night isn’t effective… most harassment and violence is happening during daylight hours, in crowded places.

“It is a woman’s fundamental right…to walk the streets and not be groped”

January 8, 2016 By HKearl

In the wake of the mass attacks on German women last week, Musa Okwonga (“a poet, author, sportswriter, broadcaster, musician, public relations consultant and commentator on current affairs”) wrote a powerful piece on his blog titled, “How to deal with the sexual assaults in Cologne and Hamburg.”

The whole piece is worth a read, and I especially appreciate his final paragraph:

“Why don’t we just start with the premise that it is a woman’s fundamental right, wherever she is in the world, to walk the streets and not be groped. And why don’t we see this as a perfect moment for men, regardless of our ethnic backgrounds, to get genuinely angry about the treatment of women in public spaces: to reject with fury the suggestion that we are somehow conditioned by society forever to treat women as objects, condemned by our uncontrollable sexual desires to lunge at them as they walk past. Let’s do our best to challenge the rampant misogyny which has gone on worldwide for far too long, and reject whatever lessons of sexist repression we may have been taught. Because women are tired of telling us about this, and exhausted of fighting a battle that for too long has gone overlooked.”

YES!. Thank you, Musa.

It is sad that a statement like his is so rare. We MUST have more men step up and speak out against gender-based violence.

Woman Killed in U.S., Women Migrants Targeted Abroad

January 7, 2016 By HKearl

Trigger Warning

Here are two upsetting stories for the new year so far (in addition to the attacks on women in Germany). We have so much more work to do.

First, I am sorry to share the news of another senseless death that started as a benign conversation, escalated to street harassment and then to gunshots!! Our thoughts are with Sara’s friends & family.

Via CNN:

“Sara Mutschlechner was driving through the Dallas suburb with three passengers around 2 a.m. (3 a.m. ET) Friday when a gray Honda Pilot with five to six males inside pulled up next to them, Kizer said at a Tuesday afternoon press conference.

“It was an amicable conversation to begin with, but quickly went downhill and some derogatory statements were made toward the female occupants of that vehicle,” the Denton Police spokesman told reporters.

Kizer described those “very derogatory” remarks as being of a “sexual nature,” adding that a male inside Mutschlechner’s vehicle responded by calling them out as offensive.

“Some comments were made back towards him, even a couple of threats were thrown,” the police spokesman said. “About that time, they were driving through the intersection … when several shots were fired.”

One of those shots struck Mutschlechner in the head, according to Denton Police.

She quickly lost control of her car, which first hit another vehicle leaving a nearby parking lot before veering into an electrical pole.

The Honda Pilot, meanwhile, fled.

Mutschlechner, a University of North Texas student and member of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, died after being transported to an area hospital. She was a designated driver that night and had not been drinking, witnesses said.”

The second story comes from the New York Times and is about men targeting migrant women from countries like Syria for sexual abuse.

“Interviews with dozens of migrants, social workers and psychologists caring for traumatized new arrivals across Germany suggest that the current mass migration has been accompanied by a surge of violence against women. From forced marriages and sex trafficking to domestic abuse, women report violence from fellow refugees, smugglers, male family members and even European police officers. There are no reliable statistics for sexual and other abuse of female refugees….

As some women painted their hands with henna and others traded frustrations about the time it was taking to get refugee status, Samar, a 35-year-old former employee of the Syrian Finance Ministry, opened up about the particular stress of being a woman on the move. Bombed out of her home in Darayya, a suburb of Damascus that early in the civil war became known for antigovernment protests, Samar spent 14 months on the road alone with her three daughters, ages 2, 8 and 13.

“I did not leave them out of my sight for one minute,” she said in Arabic, speaking through an interpreter. She and other single mothers slept in shifts along the way, watching over their daughters and one another.

But in Izmir, Turkey, about to board a boat to Greece, Samar was robbed and left with no money to pay the smuggler. A stocky man who called himself Omar, he offered to take her for free, but only if she had sex with him. Samar had heard him before, at night, in the hostel where she and other refugee women were staying, “going to this room and that.”

“Everybody knows there are two ways of paying the smugglers,” she said. “With money or with your body.”

But she refused, and Omar became angry. That night he burst into Samar’s room, threatening her and her daughters before her screaming chased him away. Samar stayed in Turkey for almost a year to work and save up the 4,000 euros needed for the remainder of the journey.

Sitting with her youngest daughter curled on her lap, Samar concluded: “Almost all men in the world are bad.”

Across town, in west Berlin, Ms. Höhne sympathized, but had a more nuanced view. There are no easy solutions, she said. Female-only shelters are not an option because most families want to stay together. Some women rely on men for protection. And, she added, “We mustn’t forget many of the men are traumatized, too.”

“There is no black and white, good and evil,” she said. “If we want to help the women, we need to help the men, too.”

Men Target More Than 100 German Women on New Year’s Eve

January 6, 2016 By HKearl

UPDATE 1/7: Here are a few more recent articles:

“German Muslims condemn Cologne attacks, fear consequences“

“Cologne sex attacks ‘require police rethink‘”

“Cologne New Year gang assaults: Victim, 18, says up to 30 men groped and robbed her and her 11 friends“

“German women use social media to mock the Cologne Mayor’s advice on preventing sexual assault“

Horrible news out of Germany, via BBC:

“The mayor of Cologne has summoned police for crisis talks after about 80 women reported sexual assaults and muggings by men on New Year’s Eve.

The scale of the attacks on women at the city’s central railway station has shocked Germany. About 1,000 drunk and aggressive young men were involved….Women were also targeted in Hamburg, but the Cologne assaults – near the city’s iconic cathedral – were the most serious, German media report. At least one woman was raped, and many were groped….

What is particularly disturbing is that the attacks appear to have been organised. Around 1,000 young men arrived in large groups, seemingly with the specific intention of carrying out attacks on women.”

The New York Times has more on the story, including this:

“Several hundred people gathered in front of Cologne’s cathedral late Tuesday to protest violence against women. Several groups promoting women’s rights have complained that the authorities have not taken allegations of sexual abuse of women in refugee shelters seriously enough.”

Our thoughts are with the women and hope they may find the support and help they need to heal.

2015 Annual News, Research, and Activism Roundup (Part 2)

December 30, 2015 By HKearl

Continuing on from Part 1 —

New Research:

Global: ActionAid released the Women and the City III report. This report reflects the experiences of over 3,000 women and girls living in urban communities in Brazil, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Liberia, Nepal, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Global: The World Economic Forum released their annual Global Gender Gap Report in late October. Yet again, no country has achieved gender equality. Street harassment perpetrated by men against women is one more indicator and manifestation of this inequality.

Global: Hollaback! and Cornell University conducted a large-scale, opt-in survey on street harassment in 2014. The research included 16,600 respondents in 42 cities from around the globe was released in May 2015.

Australia: A new study by the Australia Institute revealed that street harassment is very common. “The survey of 1426 females found 87% were verbally or physically attacked while walking down the street and men were responsible for 52% of the attacks. 40% of women feel unsafe in their own neighbourhoods at night…In addition to verbal harassment, physical street harassment is also a relatively commonplace occurrence, with 65% of women experiencing physically threatening harassment.”

Australia/USA: “Michael Kasumovic and Jeffrey Kuznekoff, researchers at the University of New South Wales and Miami University, respectively…watched how men treated women during 163 plays of the video game Halo 3. As they watched the games play out and tracked the comments that players made to each other, the researchers observed that — no matter their skill level, or how the game went — men tended to be pretty cordial to each other. Male players who were good at the game also tended to pay compliments to other male and female players. Some male players, however — the ones who were less-skilled at the game, and performing worse relative their peers — made frequent, nasty comments to the female gamers. In other words, sexist dudes are literally losers.”

Chile: The group Observatorio Cotra el Acoso Callejero – OCAC Chile released the results of their second study on street harassment. “Among the findings of the study, three out of four people have suffered street harassment in Chile in the last 12 months … In the case of women, the percentage reaches 85% and of men, 55%. … Also, two in five people have suffered rubbing, touching or groping in public spaces, and 23% of women have experienced some form of serious harassment (persecution, exhibitionism, public masturbation).”

France: A new study found that 100% of women had been harassed while riding public transportation.

Kenya: A new study found that a short educational program produced lasting improvements in teenage boys’ and young men’s attitudes toward women, thus helping to reduce violence against women.

Kenya: More than 50% of almost 400 women interviewed by Kenyan advocacy group Women’s Empowerment Link (WEL) said they had experienced gender-based violence, defined as physical, sexual or psychological harm, while using public transport. “(Respondents) witnessed female passengers being stripped naked … but the female survivors neither received any help nor reported the violation,” WEL said in a report of the survey. Respondents said insults were the most common form of abuse that women experience while using public transport, followed by being forced to board vehicles against their wishes and indecent touching.”

Nicaragua: Our 2014 Safe Public Spaces Mentoring team in Nicaragua officially released a report detailing the findings of the 900 person survey they conducted last year. Their report and findings were featured by numerous media outlets, including La Prensa.

Nigeria: The National Democratic Institute (NDI) in collaboration with the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), USAID and other partners found that “sexual harassment, intimidation and lack of support as some causes for the declining rate of women’s participation in elections.”

Syria and Jordan: There was new research in a publication from SIT Digital Collections, “A Comparative Analysis of Syrian Refugees’ and Jordanian Citizens’ Experiences of Street Harassment in Jordanian Host Communities”

USA: A new study shows that the treatment of women as sexual objects – including through street harassment — contributes to their anxiety over their physical safety. “Catcalling is More Sinister Than You Might Think.” “The study looked at a sample of 133 African-American and 95 white female undergraduates… The African-American respondents reported more sexual objectification experiences and fear of crime than white women, and therefore experienced more psychological stress.”

USA: The Los Angeles transit authority found 19% of riders have been harassed in the past year. “Seven percent have been fondled or groped, and 8% have been subject to indecent exposure…passengers younger than 18 reported the highest rate of unwanted touching of any age group.”

USA: “Study shows how men overcompensate when their masculinity is questioned.”

USA: Our board member Dr. Laura S. Logan, an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Hastings College, wrote “Street Harassment: Current and Promising Avenues for Researchers and Activists” for the academic journal Sociology Compass. In it she makes the case for why researchers in particular need to focus on street harassment.

USA: The Safe Routes to School National Partnership included street harassment in its new report! This is so important because a lot of kids and teenagers face street harassment as they travel to/from school and school activities. We need to acknowledge and address that.

USA: In May the National Day of Action for Black Women and Girls was held. To coincide with it, the African American Policy Forum (AAPF) release the report: “‪#‎SayHerName: Resisting Police Brutality Against Black Women” to help shed light on the extent of the issue. Watch footage from a NYC rally:

** Here are 40 studies about how prevalent street harassment is in different parts of the world.**

Notable News Stories:

Bangladesh: The celebration of the Bengali New Year 1422 was interrupted by a mass sexual assault against a group of women on the campus of Dhaka University.

*Five Chinese Feminist Activists. Image via CNN.com*

China: After weeks of imprisonment, five female activists were released. They were detained after trying to start a campaign against sexual harassment on public transportation. Free Chinese Feminists were crucial in their release and worked tirelessly to free these brave women. #FreetheBeijingFive

Costa Rica: Mr. Cruz was best known as the man who confronted another man for filming an upskirt video in San Jose. He was then stabbed multiple times two days later while walking through San Sebastian. He died a few weeks later after being in intensive care.

Egypt: 141 sexual harassment incidents were reported during Eid al-Fitr.

India: A teenager killed herself after enduring street harassment. – “A family member of the victim said, “We had gone to the police and complained about the incident. They did not take appropriate action against the guilty, which led to the girl’s death.”

India: A girl set herself on fire over alleged street harassment.

India: Harassers stabbed a 19-year-old woman 35 times, killing her.

Ireland: Jenny Stanley wrote an open letter for the Irish Times that prompted global discussions.

South Africa: Sisonke Msimang’s New York Times op-ed “The Backlash against African Women” explores how “public strippings represent the front lines of a cultural war against women’s advancements in traditionally conservative but rapidly urbanizing societies. They aren’t really about what women are wearing. They are much more about where women are going.”

UK: Train passengers stood up for two Muslim women after a man threatened them with anti-Muslim slurs.

UK: After weeks of trying various tactics for dealing with street harassers along her route to work (this included men purposely blocking her path), Poppy Smart took the matter to the police. When her story was public, lots of people said she should get a thicker skin, change her route to work, and stop wasting police time. This led to lots of discussions and articles for and against her choice to report.

UK: A BBC reporter was street harassed while on air, filming a segment about street harassment.

USA: “A teenager from Louisiana required surgery after being attacked by a group of men who had harassed her while she was wearing a bikini.

USA: A young boy stopped a man who was street harassing a female runner.

USA: A young woman in Iowa City (USA) was murdered at a shopping mall by an entitled male mall security guard after she reported him for sexual harassment and he was consequently fired. In a separate incident, a group of men harassed a woman in Ames, Iowa, when bystander Cale Truhlsen stepped in to try and stop it. The other men attacked him, injuring him so badly he was hospitalized.

USA: “There is a moment in the McKinney, Texas, pool party video that’s both horrifying and absurd: when Cpl. Eric Casebolt manhandles, violently restrains, then sits on top of an unarmed, 15-year-old, bikini-clad black girl as she cries for her mother.”

*Matthew Jarrell. Image via Towleroad.com*

USA: “Ohio Gay Man Endures Gay Slurs, Savagely Beaten After Leaving Cleveland Gay Nightclub – The attack on Jarrell was so severe it caused his brain to swell and bleed and he lost 80 percent hearing ability in his right ear. As murders of trans people continue to rise, discriminatory attacks and murders of LGBT people remain a consistent, stark reality throughout the nation.”

NEW Art, Songs, Films and Documentaries:

Canada: “Dear Stranger” is a short and powerful film by a film student in Vancouver

India: “Stripped” is a social drama broaching the most sensitive and often neglected aspect of a woman’s life. This is a story about Ana, who is a modern working girl. She’s well educated and quite liberated. Yet, whenever she has to deal with the perversion of men around her, she feels violated. Otherwise, a brave woman, she finds the act of ogling very disturbing.”

India: Women shared their first street harassment stories.

Mexico: Read the powerful street harassment stories of 76 Mexican women in Fusion’s online exhibit “‘All the Time. Every Day’: Surviving Street Harassment in Mexico City.” Artist Tatyana Fazlalizadeh spent a week there drawing portraits of women for her Stop Telling Women to Smile project, printing and posting them around the city.

Russia: Two men were harassed on video for holding hands walking down the street.

Saudi Arabia: A video that shows a group of young boys harassing two women sparked outrage.

UK: Through the ODD Arts and The Hideaway project in Manchester, young women share their street harassment stories.

USA: Empress Of’s “Kitty Kat” Is The Reponse To Street Harassment That Pop Needed

USA: In a new episode from the web series “Adult Wednesday Addams,” created by Melissa Hunter, Wednesday follows two dudes home to teach them a lesson after they catcall her.

USA: Through Immediate Justice, teenage girls share their street harassment and sexual harassment in school stories in this video and say, “I am not a cat.”

They also produced a documentary this year.

USA: Camonghne Felix performed the spoken word piece “Meat: A Reflection on Street Harassment” at The Strivers Row #BlackLivesMatter Benefit Show.

USA: Hollaback! commissioned filmmaker Aden Hakimi to make a video in which Michelle shares her street harassment stories.

USA: “Conversations About Street Harassment” is an interview series with LGBQT young people, created by transgender activist Charlie Kerr and mixed media visual artist Randon Rosenbohm.

USA: Here’s spot-on and sad social commentary about street harassment and how some men will only back off or leave women alone if they are visibly “taken” by a man.

USA: A man catcalls a woman during an anti-street harassment news report!

USA: “These teens in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. are not happy about the street harassment in the community – nor are they proud about their participation in these behaviors.” Read the accompanying Women’s eNews article.

USA: Tess Paras created the video “What If Catcalls were Cheeseburgers?” (NSFW…. here is a version that is safe for work)

USA: What happens when women street harass men using the “drive-by” tactic?

USA: “Julia Retzlaff, age 18, loves exploring her city and visiting friends all over San Francisco. But the fear of being sexually assaulted on public transportation is forcing her to reconsider going out at all. Produced for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Equity Workshop at TED 2015 in association with the Bay Area Video Coalition in San Francisco”

USA: “5 Things Women will Never Say” (“These reactions seem crazy, because you know you’re not really flirting.So, don’t be a creep.” – BuzzFeed)

USA: “Why That Viral [Cosmo] Video of Men Reacting to Street Harassment Isn’t Praise-Worthy”

USA: Taylor Yocom, a 22-year old photography student from the University of Iowa created the “Guarded” project to show what women carry to protect themselves, like mace or their keys, which they hold as a weapon.

USA: Both singers Alicia Keys and Jewel spoke out about unwanted sexual harassment and advances from men while in public spaces as teenagers and young women.

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