Category: Public Sexual Harassment (PSH)

PUBLIC SEXUAL HARASSMENT (PSH)

  • Harassment is conduct which any reasonable person would deem to be unacceptable, objectionable, and unwelcome.
  • Sexual harassment is any unwanted conduct of a sexual nature.
  • Public Sexual Harassment (PSH) is offensive sexual behaviour which occurs in a public space.

At the core of PSH is a power dynamic intended to demean subordinated groups and to keep them aware of their vulnerability when out in public. PSH may be sexist, homophobic, transphobic, sizeist, ableist, racist and/or classist.

Any person who has suffered honking, whistles, catcalling, sexual propositions, crude jokes, groping, threats, etc. in a public space has endured PSH.

“I don’t remember the first time I became aware of my surroundings. I know it was summer because the sun was hot and shining. And I was walking far from home, but I knew where I was going. Two rights and a left, across the bridge to circle the block. My thoughts were my only companion until I heard the honking horns growing louder and louder. I felt a chill down my spine as I realized someone else was watching. Men leaned out of their cars to stare at the young girl wearing a skirt that didn’t feel as short in the morning. I don’t remember the date, but I remember the shame. I turned back home because my destination no longer mattered, pulling my skirt down as far as I was able. That was last time I walked around my neighborhood alone. The first but not the final time I felt as though my body was not my own.”

– Nkem Odera O’Gonuwe

The stats on Street Harassment of women are NOT good:

  • 80% of women endure frequent street harassment,
  • 45% feel they can’t go alone to public spaces,
  • 50% have to cross the street to avoid street harassment,
  • 26% are in a relationship to avoid such harassment,
  • 80% feel the need to be constantly alert on local streets,
  • 9% switched careers to escape harassment on their streets

In most Western countries, there are laws which protect and promote human rights, and these include protection against discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment. However, these laws are generally designed to address workplace bullying and harassment.

This means, inside the workplace, it is your employer who must take responsibility for ensuring a safe working environment, for taking complaints seriously, and for dealing with the issue right away in an equitable fashion.

But who is responsible for sexual harassment which occurs in a public space? Who is responsible for ensuring a safe environment for all those who venture outside their home or workplace? And what if you live in a country which has few, if any, human rights laws, a country where others, particularly women, may be freely abused without much fear of legal recourse?

PSH is an area which has largely slipped between the cracks of law enforcement.  Harassing comments / actions on the street, a daily and frightening reality for many individuals, especially women, seem to be culturally accepted everywhere as part of the reality of living – you just have to swallow the abuse, the law is not interested in addressing it, and if you want redress, it’s in your hands.

So, it is time for us as people to organize, to learn about the situation and what we can do to change our world for the better. Time to speak-up loudly for the criminalization of PSH, including joining (or starting) organizations devoted to promoting positive change.

One such group in in the UK is called Our Streets Now.

The “Our Streets Now” Campaign

Two sisters, 15 and 21, from the UK have started a campaign to end street harassment in the UK.

It started when they spoke about how they experience the world as young women.

  • How they feel scared walking home at night.
  • How they feel anxious in an empty train carriage.
  • How they feel sexualised in their school uniform.

Channelling this anger into change, they decided to start a petition.

Hundreds of women and girls went online to share their stories of being insulted, followed, and assaulted in public spaces. Soon enough, thousands of voices were joining the Our Streets Now movement, tired of harassment being a ‘normal’ part of being a girl.

Our Streets Now became a community determined to challenge the myths and taboos stopping this topic from being discussed, and challenged, out in the open.
– ourstreetsnow.org

Feminine Riles aims to support these two inspiring young women by partnering with them for the next week to talk about PSH.

We believe that every person has the right to be free from harassment.

Making street harassment illegal is a key step, but the battle to unraveling toxic societal norms that cause street harassment has just begun.

Join our fight for safety and equality – enjoy our graphics; share them on Instagram – we hope they will inspire you, your family, and friends to take action. Reach out to your local elected officials, to encourage them to make Public Sexual Harassment a criminal offense.

Categories
Public Sexual Harassment (PSH)

Why is The Law Different for a Woman?

Man: I stole some stuff from my employer. Am I responsible for my actions? Lawyer: Of course, you are responsible for your actions! That’s theft.

Man: I left a restaurant without paying for my meal. Am I responsible for my actions? Lawyer: Of course, you are responsible for your actions! That’s also theft.

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Man: I stopped my car and harassed and threatened a man standing on the curb. Am I responsible for my actions? Lawyer: Of course, you are responsible for your actions! That’s assault.

Man: I grabbed this guy’s arm as he tried to pass me on the street. Am I responsible for my actions? Lawyer: Of course, you are responsible for your actions! That’s battery.

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Man: I blocked a woman on the sidewalk, said something sexually provocative, and when she recoiled, I threatened and harassed her. Am I responsible for my actions?

Lawyer: Of course not! That’s just natural behaviour for a normal healthy guy … the stupid bitch shoulda been grateful to have you notice her!

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For a corporation or a man to be victimized means the Law reacts – but victimize a female and the Law is suddenly silent.

Why does the Law change when it’s a woman?

Categories
Public Sexual Harassment (PSH)

Spell “Street Harasser”

How do you spell “street harasser”?

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Looking at the abusive and threatening behaviour of these cowards, one has to conclude:

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J-E-R-K

Categories
Public Sexual Harassment (PSH)

Enjoying One Small Victory

BREAKING NEWS!
Charges have been dropped against an Uzbek woman who beat up two men (30 and 33), who verbally and physically harassed her in the street.

Gulsanam Alijonova, 23, who has trained in the martial arts, had been charged with hooliganism for refusing to accept being abused.

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However, the community, bloggers and public figures rallied behind her saying she should be rewarded for standing-up to her harassers.

Saida Mirziyoyeva, the President’s eldest daughter, condemned the move to prosecute, comparing it with the tolerant attitude the law shows towards men who engage in domestic violence against women.

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By contrast, no charges were laid against the men who initiated the event by using violence, threats, foul language, and insulting her appearance. They were not even questioned by the police, let alone asked to apologize.

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Thus, globally, it is still the case that if a woman defends herself she is at risk of being criminally charged. But, if she cannot protect herself, then she has no legal recourse for the abuse done to her.

In the streets, men are empowered by the Law to engage in abuse, which if done in the home, at work, or in a business setting would be an offense.

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But let us enjoy this one small victory before rallying to make street harassment illegal!

Onwards, my sisters!

Categories
Public Sexual Harassment (PSH)

Put Her in Her Place

In non-Western countries, a woman alone on the street may be fondled, groped, or grabbed and raped by any passing male.

This conduct is not about sex. Even the stupidest male knows that such behaviour is not “courting” behaviour.

It is about power and domination, punishment, humiliation, and degradation. It is meant to belittle, terrorize, and dehumanize her. It is intended to brutally put her in her place.

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In the West, males know if they tried such actions, they could be charged with a crime. But the need some men have to dominate, punish, and degrade women is an overwhelming one.

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So, he substitutes verbal abuse for physical abuse. His words are chosen to disgust the recipient, to terrorize her, to belittle her. The meaning of his words is very clear:

You stupid c**t – if I can do this to you in public, imagine what I could do to you in private – and be afraid, be very afraid just being on the same street as I am. I own you, bitch.

It’s not your fault

You are NOT the cause of your harassment. It matters not if you are covered-up completely, or if part of you is exposed; it matters not what part of you is exposed; it matters not if you are young or old, pretty or plain, fat or thin, able or not; it matters not your race, creed or colour; it matters not if you are straight or LGBQT+.


Nothing you can do matters because it is NOT about you – it is about some small-minded little prick believing he has the god-given right to harass others in a public place. It’s about HIM getting HIS jollies, getting HIS fix of terror in another person’s eyes, getting the sheer pleasure it gives HIM to know he can control you, he can abuse you, he can threaten you AND YOU HAVE NO RECOURSE.

The only way to stop this is to ensure that these males understand it is unacceptable behaviour. That it will be punished.

We have made illegal duelling, slavery, 80-hour work weeks, child marriage, private wars (e.g., as in Romeo and Juliet where two families engage in endless violence), burning women at the stake, and a variety of other activities which were at one-time considered entirely normal behaviour,
It is well-past time to make Public Sexual Harassment (PSH) illegal, giving its victims a legal recourse so that these little creeps can be held accountable for their terrorism.

Categories
Public Sexual Harassment (PSH)

Feel Safe In Public Poster Giveaway

To wrap up our #streetharassment week with @ourstreetsnow, we’re sending a copy of this poster to @unwomen
We’ll also be giving away posters to 3 lucky winners!

To enter,

Thank you to all that collaborated this past week

Categories
Public Sexual Harassment (PSH)

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Women

Dogs & Women:

Across cultures, and across time, we have shared so much.

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The Master got to stride boldly down the street and was free to threaten, kick, abuse, or even kill any dog which dared to try to share the sidewalk with him.

Globally, historically, men have inflicted similar harassments on women.

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In cultures with a conscience, we have a Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) to protect dogs from such maltreatment.

Time for an SPCW?

Categories
Public Sexual Harassment (PSH)

Men Speak Against Harassment

Today we’re showcasing a few comments famous men have made on Public Sexual Harassment

Harassment is about power – the undue exercise of power by a superior over a subordinate.
Michael Crichton
(author, film-maker)

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Most women are all too familiar with men … whose sense of prerogative renders them deaf when women say, “No thanks,” “Not interested,” or even “F*k off, creep.”
Jon Krakauer
(writer, mountaineer)

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I think the golden rule for men should be: If you’re a man, don’t say anything to a woman on the street that you wouldn’t want a man saying to you in prison.
Peter White
(musician)
Categories
Public Sexual Harassment (PSH)

I Want to Feel Safe in Public

Public Sexual Harassment is a global issue, and the impacts are felt differently across the world, ranging from catcalling to sexual assault.

Public Sexual Harassment is something the vast majority of women have had to endure. Yet 80% of women endure frequent Public Sexual Harassment.

The ability to go about your day without harassment should be a basic human right.

We’re collaborating with Our Streets Now to bring attention to Public Street Harassment across the world, inspire people to speak up, and encourage lawmakers to make Public Sexual Harassment a Criminal Offense.

Follow us on Instagram for our End Street Harassment updates and polls!

Categories
Public Sexual Harassment (PSH)

End Public Harassment #3: Victimless Crime

Public sexual harassment (PSH) is the most common form of violence against women and girls. Yet it is belittled, ignored, and normalised. Women are accused of getting upset over nothing when it happens. Like prostitution, Society sees it as a victimless crime.

4 men in a car, follow Shanice, a 10-year-old girl in her school uniform, across a bridge with wolf-whistles, jeers, and shouts of “How much for a blow-job?”

85-pound Shelley tells 3 large men who are sexually harassing her that she is only 13. They say, “So what, we don’t care how old you are.”

18-year-old Donna is confined to a wheel-chair. One man on the subway said to her, “Ooh love did someone f**k you too hard and now you’re broken?” Men on the street flash her, or they grab her, and then they run away.

Jane was 20 years old and deaf, when a car stopped next to her and the driver catcalled at her. She couldn’t hear him and did not respond. He drove his car in front of her, blocking her path, and screamed, “I’m trying to compliment you, but you’re ignoring me. I don’t tolerate being ignored.”

No victims there …

The ability to go about your day without harassment should be a basic human right. Yet 80% of women endure frequent Public Sexual Harassment.

We’re collaborating with Our Streets Now to bring attention to Public Street Harassment across the world, inspire people to speak up, and encourage lawmakers to make Public Sexual Harassment a Criminal Offense.

Follow us on Instagram for our End Street Harassment updates and polls!

Categories
Public Sexual Harassment (PSH)

End Public Harassment #1: Verbal Rape

Woman's hand with Stop Verbal Rape. 80% of woman experience public sexual harassment.
A strange male walks up to a female on the street, and out of his mouth streams a foul mix of four-letter words and threats mixed-in with disgusting sexual slurs.

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Society closes its eyes to the abuse and pretends this behaviour to be innocuous – boys being boys.

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Rubbish!
Let’s call this assault by its real name:
Verbal Rape

The ability to go about your day without harassment should be a basic human right. Yet 80% of women endure frequent Public Sexual Harassment.

We’re collaborating with Our Streets Now to bring attention to Public Street Harassment across the world, inspire people to speak up, and encourage lawmakers to make Public Sexual Harassment a Criminal Offense.

Follow us on Instagram for our End Street Harassment updates and polls!

Street harassment is a form of harassment, primarily sexual harassment that consists of unwanted comments, gestures, honking, wolf-whistlings, catcalling, exposure, following, persistent sexual advances, and touching by strangers in public areas such as streets, shopping malls, and public transportation.

Cyberbullying Via Social Media
Elizabeth Whittaker & Robin M. Kowalski

What is Public Sexual Harassment?

PSH is an area that has largely slipped between the cracks of law enforcement.  Harassing comments / actions on the street, a daily and frightening reality for many individuals, especially women, seem to be culturally accepted everywhere as part of the reality of living.

So, it is time for us as people to organize, to learn about the situation and what we can do to change our world for the better. We need to speak-up loudly for the criminalization of PSH, including joining (or starting) organizations devoted to promoting positive change in local regions.

The ‘Feel Safe’ Campaign and Our Streets Now

Our Streets Now is a campaign demanding the right of women and girls to feel and be safe in public space. Their petition in the UK has received over 200,000 signatures to date.

This week, from May 24th to May 30th, we are collaborating with Our Streets Now to bring attention to amplify the call to end Public Street Harassment across the world.

We want help Our Streets Now in their mission to inspire others who have experienced street harassment to speak up, and inspire local partners to start petitions in their countries to urge lawmakers to make Public Sexual Harassment a criminal offense.

https://www.ourstreetsnow.org/our-mission