Stop Street Harassment

Making Public Spaces Safe and Welcoming

OCAC Chile presents New Bill to Congress

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Posted with the permission of Observatorio Contra el Acoso Callejero Chile

VALPARAISO, 17 March.- In the month of International Women’s Day and the UN CSW 59th, which discusses the status of women in the world, Chile advances in the struggle for gender equality. In order to remove street harassment from the bad number of violence complaints, as well as prevent future attacks and protect victims, the Observatorio Contra el Acoso Callejero Chile – OCAC Chile (Observatory Against Street Harassment), Tuesday, presented to Congress the Bill “Law for Street Respect”, which seeks to enroll street harassment in Chilean law.

The project is divided into four main areas: it defines what is understood as street harassment, defines what acts shall constitute a minor offense, incorporates into the Penal Code the offense of street harassment and proposes alternative measures with an educational focus. In parallel, OCAC Chile submitted to the Executive power a set of recommendations to promote educational and preventive public policy, and thus not merely criminalize the problem.

“We believe that the Law for Street Respect is a vital step towards a more friendly and safe public space for everyone. This will be a tool that will prevent attacks and protect victims, besides having a preventive, educational and committed to gender equity approach”, said Maria Francisca Valenzuela, President of OCAC Chile.

The document is sponsored by the deputies Camila Vallejo (PC) and Karla Rubilar (Amplitud) and was signed by parliamentarians of cross militancy, as Giorgio Jackson (Independiente-RD), Daniella Cicardini (PS), Loreto Carvajal (PPD) Marcela Sabat (RN), Karol Cariola (PC), Vlado Mirosevic (Liberal), Yasna Provost (DC) and Gabriel Boric (Self-IA).

“It is important to legislate on street assaults so they do not become naturalized, since in an almost imperceptibly way they can affect psychologically who is the subject of such aggression. I hope we can have a transverse support this motion,” said Santiago’s  deputy, Giorgio Jackson.

For its part, the parliamentary Camila Vallejo, sponsor of the bill, said that “every day, women of all ages, regardless of socioeconomic status, are discriminated against and abused physically or psychologically. Laws like this are intended to assert our struggle for gender equality, for recognition of our humanity, so often trampled and abused”.

To develop this initiative, OCAC Chile had the support of UN Women and the European Union. If passed the law, Chile would join countries like Peru, and various nations of Europe which have already moved towards regulations that address, prevent and punish this form of violence.

For more information, OCAC has developed the respetocallejero.cl website, where you can download the full bill, review an explanatory video and read testimonials about street harassment in Chile.

Video with english subtitles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm2cQ8wixPc&feature=youtu.be

Press Contacts

Observatory Against Street Harassment (OCAC Chile)

Javiera Contreras
comunicaciones@ocacchile.org
+569 8136 7869

Program to Strengthen Civil Society Organizations that Promote Gender Equality UN Women – European Union
Monica M. Maureira
maureira.monica@gmail.com
+569 9959 4156

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USA: How to Talk with Someone who Disagrees with You

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Madison Ford, Texas, USA, Blog Correspondent

Street harassment awareness is spreading. A year ago, when I talked about my research on the subject with casual acquaintances I had to explain what exactly street harassment is almost every single time. Nowadays, street harassment shows up in the media often enough that people have at least some conception of what it is.

Every once in a while, I end up having these conversations with people who have actively participated in street harassment. Most of the time these conversations end very well: we have an engaging discussion about masculinity or gender inequality and my acquaintance will express regret for ever participating in harassing behaviors. But this isn’t always how it goes down. Sometimes the people I speak with will admit they have harassed women on the street, and despite the public outcry against the act they continue to do so because they don’t see it as a problem. It’s only a game, women need to just get over it, the same old story.

Now no two people’s opinions can ever be exactly alike, but I abide by these four tips when I’m speaking with somebody who not only disagrees with my opinions on street harassment – but actively participates in harassing behaviors as well. In your discussions with friends, acquaintances, and colleagues – I hope these tips help you keep things civil and on topic.

1) Stay calm. Believe me, if anyone has ever wanted to spit fire during a conversation about street harassment – it’s me. If you let your emotions overwhelm you it will be much more difficult to word a convincing argument on the spot. Whenever your conversation partner says something frustrating, take a deep breath and move on to step two.

2) Remember the facts. Many websites have abundant research with scientific conclusions about street harassment. If somebody tells you that women are overreacting, point them to statistics on sexual assault. We live in a culture that blames the victims for the actions of perpetrators. It’s hard to walk through life as a woman not knowing that, but often it’s a fact that men overlook since sexual assault so overwhelmingly affects women. If these logical tactics still don’t sway the opinion of your acquaintance, it’s time to move on to an emotional argument.

3) Empathy. Everyone who has harassed somebody else has women in their life in some form: a mother, a sister, an aunt, a cousin, or a girlfriend. Ask the harasser how they would feel knowing someone said something sexually violent to the women in their lives. Ask them if they know the alternate routes their family members take to avoid certain men on certain streets or if their family members carry weapons to protect themselves from the threat of sexual violence. Most importantly, remember that this empathy needs to go both ways. Empathize with the harasser. Ask him why he harasses, why he thinks it’s okay, and even ask his opinion on the street harassment research you may have presented earlier in the conversation. By asking someone to truly evaluate their actions, they may realize their impact. But not everyone will – some will resist no matter what you do or say, and that’s where the last step comes in handy.

4) Recognize a lost cause. People are stubborn, especially when they’re feeling defensive. Maybe he’ll change his mind later, maybe he’ll never change his mind. Point is, some people won’t listen to what you have to say. Some people are stubborn enough they’ll wait to change their minds until after you’re gone. If the conversation has gone on for a while and you’re both just parroting the same things back to one another, realize that this conversation will probably not end with changing the other person’s mind. Never look back at conversations like this as if they’re a waste of time – think of it as your own training for future conversations. You’ll learn how to more eloquently word your arguments and you may even learn more about why you feel the way you feel about certain issues. For a while, almost nobody was even having a conversation about street harassment; so now, every conversation is integral to the fight against it.

Madison is a soon-to-be graduate of the University of Texas at Austin studying literature and sociology. Follow her on Twitter, @madiford222.

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Sign Petition to TGI Friday’s!

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Last week, TGI Friday’s released an ad that trivializes street harassment. Collective Action for Safe Spaces and SSH teamed up with Care 2 to create a petition asking TGI Friday’s to pull it. Please sign!

The petition reads, in part:

“Many of us remember the viral video of a woman walking down the streets of NYC for 10 hours, only to be harassed over 100 times. This video quickly spread around the world, and led to discussions about how common and serious street harassment is and how much it limits women’s access to public spaces.

In TGI Friday’s latest ad, #AppCalling,the company used the same footage from the viral anti-street harassment video, but replaced the woman in the video with various appetizers, like a cheese stick. “Nobody likes a catcaller… But who can blame someone for #AppCalling,” the ad reads.

That’s right — TGI Friday’s is comparing the daily plight of women to to food, trivializing street harassment in the process. Even worse, the man who created the original anti-street harassment video says he sees nothing wrong with the ad, and allowed TGI Friday’s to use his footage.

Please sign the petition to tell TGI Friday’s — stop trivializing street harassment, and pull your ad!“

 

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The Bahamas: Rape is not Sex

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Alicia Wallace, Nassau, The Bahamas, Blog Correspondent

Image via http://profiles98.com/

The people of The Bahamas have recently come to terms with the fact that a new festival is being brought to the country. While it is the source of great debate, a Trinidad-inspired carnival will take place in May 2015 to the dismay of many loyal practitioners and fans of the Bahamian Junkanoo parade. In impassioned exchanges on the topic of Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival – a name meant to appease Junkanooers – much of the focus is put on the women of The Bahamas and the costumes designed for them to wear.

The Bahamas Christian Council, as expected, made bold, sweeping statements about the festival, zeroing in on the “immodest costumes” and the sexual violence they would inspire. Dr. Ranford Patterson said, “We are of the view that the promotion of immodest costumes, such as those displayed for use in the upcoming Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival, will not only promote promiscuity, but fornication, rape, incest, and other sins of the flesh as well.”

As Director of Hollaback! Bahamas, I have serious concerns about carnival, especially given the high rate of street harassment experienced here. Those concerns, however, do not outweigh or erase the right every woman has to participate in the festival, free of judgment, shame, and acts of sexual violence.

Dr. Ranford Patterson does not seem to have taken the time or council necessary to consider the dangers of his statement. He has made assumptions which are now, quite likely, born by many others who under his – and the Bahamas Christian Council’s – influence. It is unfortunate that people in positions of power rarely recognize the responsibility that accompanies influence.

The statement made on behalf of the Bahamas Christian Council is problematic on many levels. There is far too much to address at once, so let’s focus on the views on rape presented.

The statement suggests that rape is sex or, at the very least, is about sex. It is shocking and disappointing that sex and rape are still being confused. Far too often we see newspaper articles referring to statutory rape as “sex with a minor”. Far too often we see rape being called “unlawful sex”. It is unclear whether this is due to a fear of the word, or discomfort with the truth that lies within it.

The difference between sex and rape is clear. Sex requires consent while rape is a violation. Rape is about power and control – not sexual desire.

Dr. Ranford Patterson played the blame game in his statement. He suggested that victims are at fault, and perpetrators are helpless beings. He is completely misguided, perpetuating the myth that acts of sexual violence are caused by clothing, or lack thereof.

Rape has never been caused by physical environments, music, dancing, or costumes. The only common denominator in cases of rape is the rapist. It is, therefore, crystal clear, that the only entity guilty of rape is the rapist.

The Bahamas Christian Council’s statement is misleading as it suggests the blame for rape should rest with the victim based on the choices made by the victim. As a body with tremendous power and influence, it should recognize its responsibility and the necessity of making consultations and seeking the advice of experts before making public statements. The burden is now on civic organizations to repair the damage done by the Bahamas Christian Council. It is our duty to ensure that:

–       Sexual assault victims are not blamed

–       The distinction is made between sex and rape

–       Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival is not used as a scapegoat for acts of sexual violence

–       The free will and ability to make decisions of perpetrators is recognized

–       Women have the rights to dress as they wish

–       Women have the right to participate in festivals without the threat of sexual assault

–       Women have the right to participate in festivals, free of the idea that they are “asking for it”

As Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival – scheduled for May – draws near, Hollaback! Bahamas will be active and vocal in the community. The Bahamian people must be educated on consent and body autonomy. We cannot allow organizations to spew ignorance, hatred, or unfounded claims under the guise of morality. Our people must have the freedom to dress, move, and participate in festivals as they see fit. No door should be shut on a woman because of her sex, and no perpetrator should slip into the shadows because the spotlight is trained on a woman’s costume. We will not be silent. As educated people with clear understanding of the issues at hand, we must not allow our voices to be drowned out by the less enlightened. As their voices rise, so shall ours, in greater than equal measure.

Alicia is a freelance writer and public educator in Nassau, Bahamas. You can connect with her on Twitter (@_AliciaAudrey and on her blog.

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Chinese protesters illegally detained

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Nine Chinese women who were planning a protest against sexual harassment on public transportation in Guangzhou for International Women’s Day have been illegally detained by police, four have been released but five are still there. Via the Guardian: “The remaining five reportedly planned to distribute stickers with slogans such as ‘Police: go arrest those who committed sexual harassment.'”

I know the Chinese government is horrible on human rights issues, but really? Simply planning to protest against street harassment can result in THEM getting arrested?

Via Reuters:

“No formal charges have been levied, but they were suspected of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble”, lawyers said, a charge authorities have used in the past to jail political dissidents. [IDnL3N0MG2B7]

The case has drawn criticism from international rights groups, the European Union and the United States

“We expect the Chinese authorities to release them without delay and to allow them immediate access to legal assistance and to their families,” a spokesman for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy said in a statement from Brussels.

The United States also called on China to release the five activists immediately.”

We join them in calling for their release. If you are outraged too, you can sign this letter. You can learn about the women being detained in this Feministing blog post and this Facebook page.

H/T @mcdersa

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