Anti-Street Harrassment Week

By Katy K -
March 18 - 24, 2012 was the first observed International Anti-Street Harassment Week.  Individuals and organizations took the time to speak out about street harrassment.  First and foremost, let's label what we are campaigning against.  Street harassment is any action or comment between strangers in public places that is disrespectful, unwelcome, threatening and/or harassing and is motivated by gender.  This can be seen in cat-calls, leers, whistles, forced conversation, grabbing, touching, and even groping.  This is not a compliment, and does not feel good to the intended recipient.  It is an affront. Street harassment can sometimes interact with racism, homophobia, transphobia, and classism, which can make the comments even more hurtful.  In a 2008 study done by Stop Street Harrassment, it was estimated almost 1 in 4 women had experienced street harassment by age 12 (7th grade) and nearly 90% by age 19.

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