Stop Street Harassment

Making Public Spaces Safe and Welcoming

Street Harassment Round Up – April 12

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I’m trying something new now that the volume of street harassment stories and activism is increasing: a periodic round up of recent street harassment stories and activism initiatives from my online allies.

Stories:

The new Holla Back DC is in full swing and posted several stories this week, including “The Gauntlet of Sexual Harassment.” A woman shares how, now that the weather is warmer, she’s been getting harassed daily on her walking commute.

Via Gothamist
Via Gothamist

Holla Back NYC reports about a horrifying story where two young women who refused the advances of a Brooklyn man in a pizza shop one late night were savagely beaten by him. He fractured the jaw of one woman as she tried to call the police and he hit the other woman so much that her eyes were swollen shut and she’ll have to have reconstructive surgery. The police were able to track down the perp via his restaurant credit-card receipts and he turned himself in last Wednesday. He’s been charged with two counts of felony assault but he’s since been released on $5,000 bail – what?! That’s it? And now he’s out and about, able to beat up other women…or the same women again… great.

Activism:

Holla Back Asheville (NC) launched so if you live in that area, send them your street harassment stories. They held an event called Hey Baby this past Friday. A write-up about the event is forthcoming. Welcome HB Asheville!

Blank Noise in India is engaging in a new project “Make a Sign” and encourages everyone to make a street sign about street harassment. The deadline is May 17, 2009, and all images will be included in their flickr account and three will be tested out in public. What a great idea! Check out their blog to learn more and participate.

Holla Back Toronto was featured in McClungs magazine last week. Read the article “Ain’t no hollaback girl.” Congrats HB Tononto!

And if you’re in the DC area, don’t forget that next Saturday, April 18, is Defend Yourself’s street harassment-focused self defense class.

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Self-Defense Workshops in DC

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Knowing self-defense can not only potentially help you get out of a bad situation, but it can also help you feel more confident and prepared as you go about your daily life.

If you’re in the Washington, DC, area, there are several introductory self defense classes coming up through Defend Yourself:

  • Sun., Feb. 8, 11:30-2:30, Takoma Park, MD: Intro to self defense: Women and teen girls 16+
  • Sat., Feb. 28, 2-5, Bethesda, MD: Intro to self defense: High school girls (+ moms)
  • Sat., March 14, time and place TBA: Intro to self defense: Middle school girls (+ moms)
  • Sat., April 18, 1-4 pm, NW DC (near Howard U): Get ready for Spring: Dealing with street harassment (16+)

For more info or to register, contact the director at laurenATdefendyourself.org. Limited scholarships for low-income people are available.

I admit I’ve never attended a self defense class, though one of my uncles has taught them and he showed me moves a few years ago. I am in the DC area and I’m definitely going to try to make the class in April about dealing with street harassers!!

If you’ve taken self defense before, what were your experiences? Are there any classes or moves you recommend?

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