Hollaback is working to launch an important bystander campaign called “I’ve Got Your Back.”

It’s important because we need more bystanders taking action to prevent and stop street harassment. Too often when street harassment occurs, there are plenty of people who see it but don’t do anything. It can feel like an added slap in the face to the person facing harassment and it sets a societal message that the harassing behavior is okay. Also, often the person facing harassment may feel too unsafe to stand up to the harasser, but if s/he knew bystanders would help, s/he may feel safer and more empowered.

The proposed campaign has three parts:

1. In collaboration with the Green Dot Campaign, when bystanders submit stories, there will be green dots to signify those stories.

2. Click on the “we’ve got your back” button (just like you click on a facebook “like” button) and at the end of the day the person who was harassed will get an email saying that hundreds people have their back.  And they will know they aren’t alone.

3.  In partnership with Nancy Schwartzman, director of The Line, they’ll create a short documentary that profiles a young man who tries to stand up for his friends when they are harassed. With the Hollabacks in Buenos Aires, Mumbia, Atlanta they’ll develop interactive workshops to go with it.

Consider donating to Hollaback to help make the campaign happen.