Stop Street Harassment

Making Public Spaces Safe and Welcoming

“I’m a feminist activist, so whoever just touched my arse just made a really stupid mistake.”

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So, today I had a really good day. First, I see that the Welsh government are taking street harassment seriously in the fantastic “One Step Too Far” campaign. Then, I listen to Holly’s interview with Susan Bartelstone and felt even better: wow – people are starting to take this issue seriously! Then, having gone for a quick Friday afternoon drink with a colleague, I become depressed.

It’s my turn to get a drink, so I go to the bar to get a drink for me, my colleague and my boyfriend, who are enjoying the summer evening outside. Waiting at the bar, a guy in front of me who isn’t waiting to be served very politely moves aside for me to reach the bar. It becomes obvious that he is one of a group of four men hanging about the bar – he seems fine, and at least seems to possess some manners – but as I’m stood waiting to be served I feel a hand on my backside. I’m actually so shocked that I don’t move, I pretend I didn’t notice – because how the **** did that just happen?! Please tell me you didn’t just touch me because I’m a woman on my own at a bar?

Waiting for drinks, I can hear the guys behind me laughing about what they just did, whilst I formulate the ideal response. I try to be cool, and when I’ve paid and am heading away from the bar, I say “I’m a feminist activist, so whoever just touched my arse just made a really stupid mistake.”

I have NEVER seen such horrified expressions as I did on these guys – complete dismay and horror that a women had called them out on their actions. I walked away casually back to my boyfriend and friend. Ten minutes later, the politer of the bunch who had moved from the bar for me comes to ‘apologise’ for his idiotic friends. Reasonably nice guy, but why are you apologising for your friends? I reiterated that I don’t appreciate that kind of attention and it is unacceptable; he again apologised. Fair enough – maybe this affected these guys and made them think that this isn’t a good way to behave, but then: why the hell am I telling grown men how to behave?! Can you not see that this isn’t normal?

My one regret: I didn’t make a bigger scene and take a snap for hollaback. I wish I could think quicker.

– Jen

Location: The Friend at Hand pub, Bloomsbury, London

Share your street harassment story today and help raise awareness about the problem. Include your location and it will be added to the Street Harassment Map.

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Sick of sleezy comments

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I am so sick and tired of hearing sleezy comments and remarks from men. I ride the subway to work and school on a daily basis and at least once per trip I have to hear some annoying comment about my looks or body parts from some guy. I am very petite with a young looking face and often get mistaken for someone in their late teens. All that I am asking for is a pleasant ride to and from school/work without having to endure any sickening looks and comments.

– anonymous

Location: New York City, NY

Share your street harassment story today and help raise awareness about the problem. Include your location and it will be added to the Street Harassment Map.

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Eve Teasing Protection Day

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In Bangladesh, the number of young women taking their own lives to avoid harassment has prompted the education ministry to declare tomorrow (Sunday, June 13) “Eve Teasing Protection Day.”

“Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid said female students and female teachers are at present not safe on streets or in schools.

‘That is no exaggeration. In some places, schools have been shut down and exams delayed because of the problems caused by Eve teasing stalkers.

“Those who are teased do not like to go to school and sometimes guardians do not allow them to go to school for their safety and honour. So the drop-out rate of female students in many schools is increasing,’ Mr Nahid said.

‘Another negative manifestation of the problem is the tendency of parents to push underage daughters into early marriages so that they can escape Eve teasing. Parents think that if their daughter has a husband, they will be saved from the dangers.

‘It has become a vicious cycle.”

To learn more, you can read a BBC article about the problem of suicides and harassment in Bangladesh. Here’s info on eve teasing and you can read about the problem in India via Blank Noise. I’m in a hurry and couldn’t quickly find info about what actually is happening tomorrow for this day, so please share in the comments if you come across anything.

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Sex segregated bus lines

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Many times when I talk about my dissatisfaction with women-only public transportation initiatives in countries like Japan, Brazil, India, and Mexico, created as a response to sexual harassment on public transportation, I cite the fact that it doesn’t stop men from harassing women at the bus or subway stop. Consequently, I believe that governments should focus on why sexual harassment is occurring and address those issues, otherwise people will still find places and ways to harass each other, regardless of segregated transportation.

Now in Central Jakarta, India, instead of addressing why harassment is occurring, the government is segregating people by creating two lines for women and men to stand in when they wait for a bus! This is the first time I’ve heard about a city initiating segregation in this way and for the purpose of helping to minimize crime and sexual harassment.

Interestingly, their bus system is not one where there is sex segregation on board. So men can still harass women on the bus. Men passing by the bus stop can easily harass women in the line and probably men in the male line can harass across the way to the women in line too, if they wanted. So I don’t see this as helping curb the issue of harassment.

What do you think?

Woman stands at the women-only bus line. Image via Jakarta Post
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“Every time this happens, I feel sick with fear”

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Saturday night I went out to dinner with some friends because of a birthday. I left early (had to catch my bus on 10:45 P.M.) since I had to go home. I never look forward to waiting for my bus/train to arrive. That’s why I always wear my headphones and listen to music. Not too loudly though, so I could still hear what people say around me. I shouldn’t have to do this, but I’m paranoid because of all the times I’ve been harassed while listening to music with the result that those men get angry because I’m not listening to them!

Then a group of men appeared and started to yell at me: “Hey girl! GIRL!” trying to gain my attention. I ignored them, but one of them seated himself next to me on the same bench I was sitting on and another one tried to catch my eye.

I was so relieved when my bus arrived. My relieve was crushed when I saw them getting up. They left me alone, but I was scared the whole ride that they would get off at the same stop as me and keep bothering me. Luckily they didn’t.

Every time this happens, I feel sick with fear. I’m so sick and tired of these privileged men harassing us. That they don’t have to feel that kind of fear. That most of them don’t (want to) understand. That I don’t get treated with respect and get laughed at when I say I want to get treated with respect.

This needs to stop!

– Daphné

Location: Gent, Belgium

Share your street harassment story today and help raise awareness about the problem. Include your location and it will be added to the Street Harassment Map.

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