In cities across the world, women from all walks of life and of all ages are faced with street harassment. From cat-calls, unsolicited comments, jeering, groping, public indecency  – and when women object to such degrading treatment, they’re often accused of not accepting a compliment, or having a sense of humour failure. Yes, dear reader, the mind does boggle at how whistling at a woman, like you would at a dog across the road, could ever be seen as a compliment?

Not only is street harassment one of the most pervasive forms of gender-based violence, but it is also seldom reported as few countries offer women any legal recourse, or public protection.

But things are slowly changing, due to amazing organizations like HOLLABACK and STOP STREET HARASSMENT, who have blazed a trail for women world wide to feel safe in public spaces.

While we’re often tempted to let our harassers get off the hook and ignore their comments, this lack of action condones their harassment and encourages them to continue. Simple, assertive responses like “Stop harassing me” and calm confident body language work best. Use your imagination and come up with something witty and creative.

Shouting and swearing are only going to make other passersby think you’re crazy and take the side of your harasser. Try rather to win these bystanders over by keeping calm and using sentences like, “Take your hand off my leg”, “Stop whistling at me”, or “Put your penis back in your pants and stop touching yourself”.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES do you want the situation to escalate into violence. If you are feeling at all afraid, carry on walking and report the incident.

In the mean time, check out this awesome link for some really great ways to assert yourself:

ANTI-HARASSMENT STRATEGIES

Browse our collection of media to end street harassment.

STOP STREET HARASSMENT PSA FROM SOUTH AFRICA

STOP STREET HARASSMENT CAMPAIGN Teaser

STOP STREET HARASSMENT CAMPAIGN

STOP STREET HARASSMENT Campaign from India

“Tit for Tat” is the story about three women, who, sick of being harassed take to the streets armed with hidden cameras to catch their harassers in the act. And to confront them!

“Tit for Tat” is a tongue-in-cheek documentary that will raise awareness of street harassment as a social problem that MUST change. It will also present its viewers with real solutions to effectively dealing with harassers.

For more information on this exciting project, or to make a donation please feel free to contact us, or click on the button bellow.

We’re based in Cape Town, South Africa and would love to hear your comments, thoughts and opinions!

In need of legal advice? “The Women Legal Centre is a non-profit, independently funded law centre, started by a group of lawyers.”

http://www.wlce.co.za/

For equality and justice contact Genderlinks

http://www.genderlinks.org.za/

Hollaback is an international movement to end street harassment and here is the link to South Africa’s very own Hollaback site!

http://southafrica.ihollaback.org/