Street Harassment
and Public Space

Let’s explore…
• Is public space truly public?
• How can we make biking, walking,
and public transportation more safe
for everyone?

Let’s start in the same place
Photo credit: Nortridge Software Company

street harassment:
• 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
or gender expression. (Stop Street
Harassment)

transgender:
• Transgender people are those whose
psychological self ("gender identity") differs from
the social expectations for the physical sex they
were born with. (Gender Equity Resource
Center)

gender expression:
• the external display of gender, through a
combination of dress, demeanor, social
behavior, and other factors, generally
measured on a scale of masculinity and
femininity (itspronouncedmetrosexual.com)

genderqueer:
• a catch-all term for gender identities other than
man and woman (Gender Wiki)

“You’re good at
that, sweetie.”

“You’re good at
that, sweetie.”
“Nice booty,
baby.”

“You’re good at
that, sweetie.”
“Nice booty,
baby.”
“I’m good at eating p****,
baby. Can I come home
with you?”

“You’re good at
that, sweetie.”
“Nice booty,
baby.”
“Hey, baby.”
“I’m good at eating p****,
baby. Can I come home
with you?”

“You’re good at
that, sweetie.”
“Hey, baby.”
“Nice booty,
baby.”
“Hey, baby.”
“I’m good at eating p****,
baby. Can I come home
with you?”

“Give me a smile“, Hey, baby.”
baby.”
“You’re good at
that, sweetie.”
“Nice booty,
baby.”
“Hey, baby.”
“I’m good at eating p****,
baby. Can I come home
with you?”

“Give me a smile“, Hey, baby.”
baby.”
“You’re good at
that, sweetie.”
“Nice booty,
baby.”
“Hey, baby.”
“Smile”
“I’m good at eating p****,
baby. Can I come home
with you?”

“Give me a smile“, Hey, baby.”
baby.”
“You’re good at
that, sweetie.”
“Nice booty,
baby.”
“Hey, baby.”
“Smile” “Smile”
“I’m good at eating p****,
baby. Can I come home
with you?”

“Give me a smile“, Hey, baby.”
baby.”
“You’re good at
that, sweetie.”
“Smile”
“Nice booty,
baby.”
“Hey, baby.”
“Smile” “Smile”
“I’m good at eating p****,
baby. Can I come home
with you?”

“Give me a smile“, Hey, baby.”
baby.”
“You’re good at
that, sweetie.”
“Smile”
“Nice booty,
baby.”
“Hey, baby.”
“Smile” “Smile”
“I’m good at eating p****,
baby. Can I come home
with you?”
“Smile”

“Give me a smile“, Hey, baby.”
baby.”
“You’re good at
that, sweetie.”
“Smile” “Smile”
“Nice booty,
baby.”
“Hey, baby.”
“Smile” “Smile”
“I’m good at eating p****,
baby. Can I come home
with you?”
“Smile”

“Give me a smile“, Hey, baby.”
baby.”
“You’re good at
that, sweetie.”
“Smile” “Smile”
“Nice booty,
baby.”
“Hey, baby.”
“Smile” “Smile”
“I’m good at eating p****,
baby. Can I come home
with you?”
“Smile”
“Smile”

“Give me a smile“, Hey, baby.”
baby.”
“You’re good at
that, sweetie.”
“Smile” “Smile”
“Smile”
“Nice booty,
baby.”
“Hey, baby.”
“Smile” “Smile”
“I’m good at eating p****,
baby. Can I come home
with you?”
“Smile”
“Smile”

“I’ll kill you.”
“Nice booty,
“Hey, baby.” baby.”
“Smile” “Smile”

“I’ll shove that
cookie so far “Nice down
booty,
your throat you’ll
choke and die.”
“Hey, baby.” baby.”
“Smile” “Smile”

Results from various studies. Image from stopstreetharassment.org.

Street harassment is violence.
– It’s about power and control.
– It carries mental impact.
– It can be triggering for those who have
experienced sexual assault.

It can lead to physical violence.

It can lead to physical violence.
• Every 2 minutes another American
over the age of 12 is sexually
assaulted.
(U.S. Department of Justice's National Crime Victimization Survey)

It can lead to physical violence.
• Every 2 minutes another American
over the age of 12 is sexually
assaulted.
• Rates are highest in the summer.
(U.S. Department of Justice's National Crime Victimization Survey)

Photo credit: http://margiewarrell.com
What should I wear? It’s hot
out but if I show more skin I’ll
get more comments.

Photo credit: http://margiewarrell.com
What should I wear? It’s hot
out but if I show more skin I’ll
get more comments.
What time of
day is it?

Photo credit: http://margiewarrell.com
What should I wear? It’s hot
out but if I show more skin I’ll
get more comments.
What time of
day is it?
Will the space be
well lit? Will others
be out?

Photo credit: http://margiewarrell.com
What should I wear? It’s hot
out but if I show more skin I’ll
get more comments.
What time of
day is it?
Will the space be
well lit? Will others
be out?
How should I react to
people who walk by? Or
to people who make
comments?

Photo credit: http://margiewarrell.com

Street harassment affects our choices.

What can victims do?

What can victims do?
• Speak up!

What can victims do?
• Speak up!

What can victims do?
• Speak up!
• Visit stopstreetharassment.org for cards
to hand to harassers.

What can victims do?
• Speak up!
• Visit stopstreetharassment.org for cards
to hand to harassers.
• Report the harassment if it is
happening at work, school, etc.

What can victims do?
• Speak up!
• Visit stopstreetharassment.org for cards
to hand to harassers.
• Report the harassment if it is
happening at work, school, etc.
• Talk about street harassment.

What can bystanders
(generally men) do?

Examine your own views on street
harassment. Does any part of you…

Examine your own views on street
harassment. Does any part of you…
• think it’s ok to comment on someone
else’s body?

Examine your own views on street
harassment. Does any part of you…
• think it’s ok to comment on someone
else’s body?
• think that what someone wears excuses
rape, assault or lewd comments?

Examine your own views on street
harassment. Does any part of you…
• think it’s ok to comment on someone
else’s body?
• think that what someone wears excuses
rape, assault or lewd comments?
• think that people are obligated to
interact with you in public?

Examine your own views on street
harassment. Does any part of you…
• think it’s ok to comment on someone
else’s body?
• think that what someone wears excuses
rape, assault or lewd comments?
• think that people are obligated to
interact with you in public?
• think that hitting on someone walking by
is an effective way to get a date?

Examine the messages
you receive that tell you
other people’s bodies
belong to you.

comments others make…

comments others make…
legislation…

pop culture...

Speak up!

Some things to try:

.

Photo Credit: Bicycle Times