I was fortunate enough to study in Morrocco this past spring with seven other Dartmouth students on the Asian and Middle Eastern studies foreign studies program. Those two months were some of the most interesting, rewarding and challenging of my life. One of those challenges was the relentless barrage of unwanted attention and inappropriate comments, no matter where my fellow classmates and I went. “Are you the Spice Girls, or the spiciest girls?” “Just sleep with me for one minute! Just one minute!” “Hey sexy, come over here!” Because we had to walk many places, the comments were an inevitable and frustrating part of our daily lives. By the end of the program, we were all ready to snap. In fact, I did snap. On the final night, I screamed at a group of men, but my outrage only made the men laugh. It was as if they had won.
Catcalls are not harmless compliments, and they assuredly do not make those being called out feel better about themselves. Catcalling is undeniably sexual harassment in a public space, and offenders derive power by showing public ownership over a person’s objectified body. What someone may think is a funny or flattering comment is actually a source of anxiety for subordinated groups across the world. The intent is intimidation and the reaction is fear.
In Morocco, male friends almost always had to walk the rest of us home because we were too nervous to go alone. Street harassment, however, is not unique to Morocco — or to any one country. It occurs all over the world. I do not feel entirely comfortable walking around most American cities by myself (though, of course, I do not let that stop me). In fact, Stop Street Harassment, a nonprofit devoted to the issue, reports that 65 percent of American women have experienced street harassment, though other surveys they’ve done report rates as high as 99 percent.
Few reasonable people would argue that indecent exposure or physical assault, like groping, should be legal. Verbal street harassment, on the other hand, is more problematic because of the value that many place on the right to free speech. Freedom of speech, however, does not allow the freedom to intimidate and subordinate people in public spaces. Verbal street harassment of some form is actually illegal in at least 20 states, but laws have not and will not end street harassment. We need a huge shift in public opinion for a consensus that street harassment is serious, unacceptable and stoppable. That shift can come about through grassroots efforts like education and activism in tandem with the laws already in place.
Fortunately, the past few years have brought both increased awareness of the issue and methods of fighting back worldwide. Groups like Hollaback (currently active in 79 cities and 26 countries) and HarassMap in Egypt use social media to report instances of street harassment. Commenters post when and where it happened along with what was said. It forms a community for those routinely harassed and shows that street harassment is endemic to many contemporary societies, as opposed to merely the regrettable actions of a few individuals.
I personally have not suffered from street harassment in Hanover, though I am sure that others have. If that happens, you can report the incident to Hanover Police under a harassment or disorderly conduct complaint, both punishable by fines up to $1,200 under New Hampshire state law. Even if you do not report it to the police, say something to your friends about it. Spread the word. If you’re a bystander, remember that witnessing an incident and doing nothing is an implicit approval of the perpetrator’s actions, which reaffirms street harassment’s comfortable place in society. Public spaces should be equally safe and accessible for all, and we as a Dartmouth community can help realize that ideal here in Hanover. As a community, we have to step up and proclaim that sexual harassment (in the street or otherwise) is neither harmless nor okay.
