Stop Street Harassment

Making Public Spaces Safe and Welcoming

Taking action to stop harassers!

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I have been walking to work with a friend and she has been shouted at, verbally harassed, had drivers slow down whilst passing her and, when in my car, other drivers make rude gestures and shout at her…and I thought we were some way down the road to equality.

The worst behaviour has been from the contractors working on the roadworks outside our office. After reading some of this website last night, I went over to the workmen, whilst they were staring and letching at my friend and told them to stop as it was threatening and unwelcome. I then went back into the office, called the company involved and reported the complaint to the director and backed it up with an email. I have received an email response stating that they would investigate my complaint and proceed with disciplinary action where appropriate.

My friend was scared and didn’t feel able to say anything to the contractors; I asked her if it was OK for me to speak up for her and she said yes. We wait to see if their behaviour changes…

Thanks to this website I decided to do something and speak up, instead of just thinking about it.

– CJ

Location: Walsall, United Kingdom

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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Stop Commuter Harassment

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“Imagine you are heading to work on a Monday morning. Over the next 20 minutes you use your commuting time to catch up on e-mail and mentally run through a list of meetings and deadlines. You feel confident as you prepare for your day.

Suddenly a man interrupts you mid-thought to whisper, “Smile for me,” or “Hot bod.” Or gropes you on a crowded subway or follows you in his car. Now you feel angry, offended, possibly scared.

Worse than breaking your train of thought, however, is how you will carry those feelings with you to work. They affect your performance. And if this is the 20th or 100th time a man has harassed you during your commute, you might even consider changing your route, time of commute or even your job to avoid it.”

Read the rest of my article about commuter harassment at Forbes.com, complete with ideas for what employers can do to help keep their employees safe.

Are you harassed during your commute? If so, does it impact your work performance? Have you ever considered changing jobs because of it?

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Man on motorbike makes woman fearful

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I was walking to my house, and a man on a motorbike was following me conspicuously. He stopped every few yards to wait for me to catch up, then went on again.

I stopped walking, and tried to take a photograph of him from my cellphone. He got nervous immediately, and shouted and asked what I was doing that for. He tried to grab my phone, and I shouted back.

Some people stared, and he rode away on his bike. It left me irritated and angry. I wish I could hurt that man for making me feel afraid to walk on the road.

– Anonymous

Location: Necklace Road, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.

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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Weekly Round Up: July 11, 2010

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Story Submissions Recap:

I accept street harassment submissions from anywhere in the world. Share your story!

Poems:

In the News:

10 Street Harassment Tweets of the Week:

  • jennifercwang: I am so terrible and vicious to men who sexually harass me on the street. Stop using your tiny dick for a brain and I’ll stop stomping on it
  • beleidy: And if women could walk in the street free of fear of harassment, they wouldn’t take transportation everywhere, even for very short distances
  • JeanGrae: Men, it’s 2010. You still haven’t let go of the “deflating balloon/I have a secret 2 tell you aka PSST” catcall? #dobetter
  • iHollaback: @monasosh Every time I see a baby girl, it reminds me of my 10 yr plan: create a world where they never have to experience #streetharassment
  • praymurray: An amazing, outspoken and fearless initiative 2 deal w/street sexual harassment on the streets of India http://bit.ly/ct9Qy4
  • komurphy: Keep thinking about ystrdy, 1st time I feared 4 my safety due 2 #streetharassment. It was impossible 2 ignore.
  • tekniklr: Dug: “Street harassment puts women in an impossible position. When we do nothing or say nothing, it…” http://bit.ly/aaEnWv
  • alaina_love: The @CatCall-ing has been incessant today. “I like your glasses” & “You look nice but you got a stanky attitude” (my fave).
  • icebergha: If you want to tell a woman she’s pretty, TELL HER! Don’t be disrespectful & catcall, that won’t get you anywhere!!
  • stopstharassmnt: Safe Delhi Campaign PSA shows how the community can play a critical role in making the city safer for wmen & grls http://tinyurl.com/28bwz5g

Announcements:

Resource of the Week:

Real Men Don’t Holla

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