Unsafe Streets
Last week, a social experiment took place in New York City regarding the harassment and fears that women face every day while walking down the street. While the actress is dressed in normal attire, jeans and a t-shirt, she is forced to continuously endure the degrading and sexual comments spit at her from the men whom she passes by. The video went viral shortly after surfacing, because it clearly demonstrates the extent of street harassment in our everyday lives, and why something needs to be done to stop it, in order to return women of their sense of security.
Although the video has brought attention to the topic, it also has shown light on people’s ignorance in which they defended the men on the street and their actions, by stating the girl brought it upon herself. Unfortunately, the following are real comments, left by men, on the video:
“same guy- has been walking silently alongside her for the past two minutes” Maybe he needs to go the same way..? Also, if you don’t have the decency to say thank you when somebody says “have a nice day” or “god bless you” than you’re just somebody that deserves to get beaten some sense into you.”
“Fucking bitch needs to be raped. ”
While making such comments, the least they could’ve done was taken the time to fully form correct phrases. The complete and utter mindless statements displayed above truly depict the ignorance shown in the video. Men and even women who’ve never experienced street harassment first hand do not truly understand and are even misinformed on the severity of this problem.
In fact, in 2014, SSH commissioned a 2,000-person national survey in the USA with surveying firm GfK. The survey found that 65% of all women had experienced street harassment. Among all women, 23% had been sexually touched, 20% had been followed, and 9% had been forced to do something sexual. (Stop Street Harassment) By the age of 12, 10% of girls have actually experienced this first hand.
Street harassment causes women to have to constantly be aware of their surroundings. Not that being conscious of your environment is a bad thing, but this is beyond just being alert. Having the constant fear and anxieties of a larger man who could clearly overpower you, shout names at you, follow you, and even grab you, causes paralyzing fear. Just the fact that women are forced to think about these things while doing something as simple as walking down a street, is repulsive. Men aren’t forced to think of escape strategies and defense mechanisms, for if someone was to grab them, because they don’t have to worry or even think about it.
This has even escalated to the area regarding how parents treat their sons and daughters differently, when they are going out alone or with a group of friends. My parents are stifled with fear, and do not allow me to go to the city by myself, or with a group of friends if an adult isn’t also present. “It just isn’t safe.”
However, when my friend who is 17 years old asked me to go to the city together, my parents had no problem with it. Because there was one difference: He was a boy. He could protect me if something was to happen, because I am a girl, and am clearly defenseless. But why do I need someone to protect me? I shouldn’t have to worry about what would happen to me, if I walked down the street alone. My parents have clearly stated that they would be more comfortable letting my brother go to the city alone, than me.
He’s 12 years old.
We need to fix this; there has to be consequences. They’re just going to continue on, until action is taken against them, and this problem is taken more seriously. Don’t wait until it’s your mom or sister, who falls victim to a relentless harasser.
