Today is the first annual Anti-Street Harassment Day!! There are so many organizations that I came across today on Twitter who are deeply involved in this singular cause that impacts so many women. Here is a little something from StopStreetHarassment.com . Go to their website to find out more ways you can take action.
“Street harassment is something most women deal with year-round, but, without fail, each spring the warmer weather and longer daylight hours bring an increase in street harassment.
I’m all for friendly hellos and mutual, gender-neutral public interactions (that can lead to mutual flirting and hookups), but spring street harassment is out of control. Spring festivals, Mardi Gras, Spring Break – these are all used as excuses for harassing women.
The catcalls, leering, groping, stalking, public masturbation, and anti-woman comments are demeaning. annoying, and sometimes threatening and scary.
Too often our stories and experiences with street harassment are silenced, dismissed as trivial annoyances, or portrayed as a compliment.
On March 20, break the silence, challenge the social acceptability, brainstorm community responses, and demand its end.”
I can’t make a posting on Anti-Street Harassment Day without a shout out to Hollaback! A simple yet powerful idea that sharing your story of street harassment can change the world. Here is their link to read more about how their global organization is helping in the fight against violence against women. http://www.ihollaback.org/.
Thank you to you both for all that you are doing!
March 21st, 2011 at 3:37 am
I remember when I worked with men arrested for domestic violence and we would talk about “cat-calling” and how the minute the woman they were harassing ignored them – the “flattering” cat calls would so quickly turn into cursing her out and derogatory comments. Another example of the psychological violence women deal with on a daily basis!