What is street harassment? Street harassment, also known as catcalling, is a form of sexual harassment that takes place in public spaces, oftentimes in urban areas. Street harassment is usually harassment of women by men. In the United States, the most common forms of street harassment include: telling unknown women to 'smile,' making sexually explicit comments or noises, and rubbing against or grabbing women (which rises to the level of sexual assault). (16) Street harassment can also include following or stalking the person, grabbing yourself while you make lewd comments, following in a car, or cutting someone off, exposing yourself, calling someone derogatory names. These are also forms of street harassment. Who is a street harasser? A street harasser can be anyone. As long as the action, behaviour or words are unwelcome, or make your feel uncomfortable then that is an experience of street harassment. Street harassment like many other harassment's is very subjective. Where some people of the streets like engaging in rude, or suggestive conversations, many people do not. It's all about how the actions of the person made you feel. Simply put if you feel violated by what they say or do, then it's not a complement it's harassment. Effects of street harassment. Victims feel angry and violated. It can cause people to stay inside rather than go outside. People change their routes that they take to school and work to avoid being harassed. It makes people self conscious about how they are being perceived by others. It causes some people to change their style of dress, just to avoid getting harassed on the street. Pattern of harassment Although every incident of street harassment is unique, in descriptions from victims, a number of common themes recur. The "typical" pattern of events goes as follows: The victim is in a public place, either alone or with another woman or child - but importantly, not accompanied by a man. The victim is not engaging in any activity that could reasonably be construed as an attempt to attract attention. The harasser is alone or in the company of other men, but usually not accompanied by a woman. The harasser tries to engage the attention of the victim in some way (for example by staring, whistling, shouting, or beeping the horn of a vehicle) The harasser may follow with an offensive comment, addressed directly to the victim or to other people but within earshot of the victim. The victim's reaction, which will vary depending on circumstances, will not be positive. The harasser may continue or escalate the inappropriate behaviour despite the lack of encouragement or express disapproval of the victim. (16) Fighting street harassment Like other forms of harassment, it comes down to the what can I get away with factor. Here are some things that are being done to fight and bring awareness to the issue of street harassment. Write an article of share your story of street harassment Camera phones are being used in a big way to fight this problem. There are now several websites on the net that are designed to help fight and bring attention to the problem of street harassment. Art is even being used in India to fight street harassment with the advent of their Blank Noise Project. This U.K. site also list some great tips for combating street harassment. BASIC ADVICE* If you are the victim of harassment, take the following steps: Be safe Safety is a priority. If you are in a situation in which you feel unsafe at all, remove yourself from it as quickly as possible. If you feel safe enough to respond to your harasser, do the following: 1. Name the behaviour For example, 'Do not slap my bottom. That is harassment' or 'Do not make suggestive remarks to me. That is harassment' or 'Do not comment on my body. That is harassment' or `Do not stare at me. That is harassment'. You can also simply say in a strong voice, 'Don't sexually harass women' or "Stop! that is sexual harassment." 2. Name the perpetrator 'You, the man in the blue pinstriped suit, remove your hand from my breast.' Or `You, the driver of the blue Polo, do not ogle my breasts' 3. Use strong body language Look the harasser in the eye, speak in a strong, clear voice. 4. Do not apologise or ask a question Don't say, 'Excuse me...' 'Would you...' 'Do you realise...' 'I'm sorry, but...' 'Please...' 5. Do not get into a dialogue with the harasser. Do not answer any of the harassers questions. Simply repeat your statement or leave. So, for example, What you should NOT do: You say, `Do not shout out, "Nice ones" to me or any other woman. That is harassment'. He says, `Jeez, can't you take a compliment?' Don't say, `Yes, I can take a compliment, but that is not a compliment. That is harassment.' He will then counter with something like, `Well, you're crazy if you take it that way. I meant it as a compliment.' This allows him to justify his behaviour to you, himself and anyone else standing around. What you should do: When he says, `Jeez, can't you take a compliment?' Either leave the situation, having made your point, or repeat your statement, `Do not shout out, "Nice ones" to me or any other woman. That is harassment.' If he continues to try to engage you in a dialogue, either leave or keep repeating your statement. 6. Do not swear or lose your temper For many harassers, the goal is to get a rise out of you, which is why they participate in this kind of behaviour. For them to see you getting angry or upset just encourages them to continue to harass both you and other people. In addition, if a passer-by hears you shout out, `You f***ing arsehole' when they have seen or heard nothing the harasser has done, they will tend to think you are the harasser. This, again, benefits the harasser, who can put on a `Can you believe this woman?' look. If you remain calm, it will be clear that you are the person being harassed and the perpetrator is in the wrong. It will also take away the reward (upsetting you) for their action. (17) Links. 1. Street harassment -The site that started the hype. 2. U.K. Street harassment. -The British street harassment site.