Chances are you have experienced street harassment at some point in your life.
In fact, a recent poll conducted by the organization Hollaback! Ottawa reported that 97% of respondents stated that they have experienced street harassment in Ottawa in the past year. Being honked at, hearing sexist comments, being stalked, followed, grabbed or touched in a sexual manner, or witnessing public masturbation are experiences that have been a part of daily life for many women and LGBTQ folk.
And it needs to end.
I can personally recall being honked at by men while simply walking down the street. Or having strange men approach me while I am alone, and inform me that my boyfriend is lucky to have me. Or being leered at as I sit on the bus. I have had a man stop his car in the middle of traffic as I was waiting alone for the bus, look at me, honk, and drive away. I am left in shock and anger each and every time, even though I can safely say I have experienced each situation almost a dozen times.
Hollaback! Ottawa is an incredible organization that seeks to end street harassment in Ottawa. As stated on their website, street harassment is rarely reported and it is, “culturally accepted as ‘the price you pay’ for being a woman or for being gay.” Hollaback seeks to collect and share the stories of those who have been harassed in our city. By creating this safe space, it can allow those who have been harassed to connect with our peers and support those who experience harassment on a daily basis. Hollaback!’s exist all over the world and are becoming an amazing way to encourage individuals to fight back.
We deserve to feel safe when we leave our homes. It is that simple. My choice of dress, my makeup, my simple presence on this earth is not a reason to be stared down, or yelled at, or to experience offensive remarks day after day, night after night.
Get angry, get involved and report when you have been harassed or help those, in the safest way possible, when you see that they are being harassed. Share your stories and get involved in activities in your community that fight back against street harassment.
This cultural norm will not end until we do something about it, and we deserve to take back our streets.