Photo: (StopStreetHarassment.org)
Street harassment has been a global problem for years. Thanks to a new book from Holly Kearl, founder of Stop Street Harassment, readers will finally get a detailed look at what others around the world are doing to fight back against the problem.
To find out more street harassment and her new book, "50 Stories About Stopping Street Harassers," check out our interview with Kearl below:
ACT: For those who don't know, what is street harassment and who does it affect?
HOLLY: While people are harassed for all types of reasons when they're in public spaces, Stop Street Harassment focuses specifically on gender-based street harassment. 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 or sexual orientation.
In the USA, there were two academic studies that showed it [street harassment] impacted 100% of women. It's less clear how many members of the LGBQT community as a whole it impacts, but it is likely quite high, too.
ACT: What would you tell someone who thinks street harassment isn't a big deal or that people should take it as a compliment?
HOLLY: Some forms of street harassment, like whistling or "catcalls," are often portrayed by the (male-owned) media as a compliment. But compliments are consensual and make someone feel safe and good and they do not sexually objectify another person. Street harassment, by definition, is unwanted and it happens without the other person's okay.
Also, a lot of street harassment is really scary. More than 80% of 811 women in one study said they'd been the target of sexually explicit language, 75% had been followed, and more than 50% had been sexually touched against their will. None of that is complimentary; it's predatory and disrespectful.
ACT: You've already written one book on street harassment. What was that book about?
HOLLY: My first book "Stop Street Harassment: Making Public Places Safe and Welcoming for Women," has its roots in my master's thesis on street harassment and was published by an academic press. It draws on academic studies, informal surveys, and interviews with activists to explore complexities of the issue. In the second half of the book, readers find concrete strategies for dealing with street harassers and ways to become involved in working to end this all-too-common violation. This book has given a lot of legitimacy to the issue and it has been used by the United Nations and New York City Council.
ACT: For your new book, you collected stories from people around the world who experienced street harassment. What surprised you about what they said?
HOLLY: I am always surprised by how similar street harassment is: from Afghanistan to Australia, from Colombia to France, men whistle and make kissy noises at women, say "Hey, baby," and "Hey, honey," and grab and follow them. Sometimes I shake my head and think, is there some international, underground school that all these men go to where they learn how to be harassers?
ACT: You've agreed to pledge 50 percent of your book's proceeds to Stop Street Harassment programs. What will that money help SSH do?
HOLLY: Funds will go to two main SSH projects. One is an on-going fundraiser to be able to conduct the first-ever national, comprehensive study on street harassment. A really good, national survey is $47,000. I'm also self-funding focus groups with different groups of people across the country to gather more stories.
The second program is the Safe Public Spaces Mentoring Program. Through an application process, people can apply to have a formal mentorship with SSH as they undertake a campaign or host an event or make a film, etc. on street harassment in their community. They receive a range of resources, weekly check-ins with SSH staff, and a small grant to offset the expenses they may incur (such as space rental, photocopying, and art supplies).
ACT: Your book includes creative, entertaining, and empowering techniques for dealing with street harassment. Can you share your favorite with us?
HOLLY: I find that anything people can do to surprise their harassers ends up being really effective. In one of the first stories, a woman in England was rushing to an appointment when a man yelled out an inappropriate comment about her butt. She turned around and yelled back, "Bald head!" He looked upset and she said, "What, I thought we were just exchanging observations?"
ACT: Finally, if you could share one thing about street harassment that you think everyone should know, what would it be?
HOLLY: First, a message specific to people who experience street harassment: you're not alone and it's not your fault.
Then more generally, I think everyone should know that street harassment is a human rights issue because it causes harassed persons to change their lives to try to stay safe. They change routes and routines and how they dress, limit where they go, and some people even move neighborhoods or change jobs because of harassers along the commute. Street harassment is not a "minor annoyance," a joke or a compliment, and it's time for everyone to speak out against it!
To learn more about how you can fight back against street harassment, check out the action widgets below.
