Stop Street Harassment

Making Public Spaces Safe and Welcoming

“Wake up, Shorty”

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My friend was driving in a convertible car. I was sitting in the back of the car having a short nap. I heard some people screaming “Shorty”, “Hey Shorty” . It got louder with, “Wake up shorty” , and a bunch of guys were laughing and cracking up. Then, since I didn’t respond to the insults, “Wake up Shorty” , the guy slapped my face out of no where.  All that happened between a red light. My friend drove the car as fast as he could. My face was very red, I felt in shock. Then I felt angry, then I felt sorry about the people who live in that community who have to deal with all that abuse. It is very sad because events like this are the ones that create a bad impression of the people who live in that community.

Optional: What’s one way you think we can make public places safer for everyone?

I recommend to the general public not to leave their windows open when driving through this neighborhood. If you can avoid passing by this neighborhood , avoid it at any cost.

– J

Location: 1378 Columbia Rd NW , Washington, District of Columbia

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See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for more idea

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EGYPT: Eid Sexual Harassment Hotline

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Today is Eid al-Adha and in Egypt, sadly the day often includes a spike in street harassment and assault. Activist groups often patrol busy public spaces looking to intervene and prevent incidents. And today, the Egyptian government is taking action, as well.

Via Al Arabiya News:

“The Egyptian State Council for Women will operate a hotline allowing members of the public to report cases of sexual assault during Saturday’s Eid al-Adha festivities, al-Ahram Online reported.

Through collaboration between the National Council for Women and the Police Department of Combating Violence against Women, officers will be expected to respond to instances of reported harassment in addition to arresting offenders, head of the council Mervat el-Talawy said.

The line will be open between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. during the four days of the official Eid holiday.

“We agreed with the Interior Ministry to report any cases regarding sexual harassment in Eid,” Talawy told Al Arabiya News. She said this would help the police officers head to the locations where cases of harassment are being reported.”

Wishing our Muslim friends and allies a safe Eid!

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“Now that I am more aware of how that makes people feel I am not doing that”

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I haven’t been the victim of street harassment. In fact, I had no idea how bad it is for some people just to walk down the street. I would be getting into fights if I had it that bad. I am guilty of checking out girls but now that I am more aware of how that makes people feel I am not doing that. Thank you for spreading the word about this.

– Anonymous

Location: Chicago, IL

Share your street harassment story for the blog.
See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for more idea

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Part 2 of Street Harassment on The Daily Show

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Woo!! The Daily Show‘s Jessica Williams did another spot-on segment about street harassment last night (here was her first one from last month). She demonstrates how her walk to work is different from that of her male colleagues because she has to try to dodge harassers, often going out of her way to avoid spots with known congregations of them. Then she brings together a group of women from across the city — including women from Girls for Gender Equity and HollaBack! and @FeministaJones who started the #YouOkSis? hashtag — to share their stories and talk about how it makes me feel.

I am SO happy The Daily Show is continuing to put the spotlight on this really important topic AND that they connected this issue to women’s equality and safety concerns, which is important.

Jessica Williams really does a perfect job.

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Transit Agencies in DC and NYC do more to Address Harassment

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This is going to be a big month for anti-harassment efforts on public transportation. In Washington, DC, Collective Action for Safe Spaces and I have been working with our transit agency on an updated PSA campaign that we hope will launch on Oct. 25 for the UNiTE’s #OrangeDay around sexual harassment in public spaces. CASS is also launching its RightRides services on October 31, to give women and LGBQT folks a safe, free ride home late that night.

And this week, big changes were announced in New York City. Via Metro:

“The MTA is taking new approaches to combating sexual harassment, including adding cameras in new trains and an improved reporting system for victims and witnesses.

Public Advocate Letitia James and community activist groups Hollaback!, the Straphangers Campaign and the New York City Anti-Violence Project, announced the new measure Wednesday morning outside the Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall Station.

The public advocate’s office said recent data showed some 3,000 women reported sexual misconduct incidents in the subway between 2008 and 2013, and that the majority of the incidents occurred on the 4, 5 and 6 trains during the morning rush.

James previously called for improved measures, outlined in an Aug. 1 letter to MTA Chairman Thomas F. Prendergast. Prendergast responded to James’ requests in a Sept. 25 letter.

Prendergast said the MTA has been running announcements on inappropriate touching since 2009, and will take further steps in hopes of improving rider safety and reporting. They are: links on the MTA homepage; reviewing with subway employees or how to handle improper conduct reports; a revised map that shows NYPD Transit Bureau locations and a new public service announcement that focuses on bystanders.

MTA spokesman Kevin Ortiz said 940 new trains set to replace old cars as part of the 2015-209 Capital Program will have cameras installed. Ortiz said the MTA is considering adding cameras in a new fleet of 300 trains. Currently, no MTA trains have cameras in the cars, Ortiz said.

Ortiz said the new PSA is still in development, and does not have a set launch date.”

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