Harassment is when unwanted comments, contact, or behavior is given towards a person. It is a deeply rooted issue of society in which women are one of the main targets due to the overarching gender inequalities found in society. It has been mobilized in current society and can occur anytime, anywhere, and be committed by anyone. It is important to understand that sexual harassment extends beyond violent actions and that many women face it in other forms daily.  It creates an uncomfortable, hostile environment where women are more prone to feeling anxious when in public scrutiny. There are many psychological effects associated with harassment that deeply affect their self dignity and pride. It is a right violation that results in them to experience a loss of confidence, resulting in them to feel unsafe both at home and outside. 

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Street Harassment

Many women feel unsafe in the public due to street harassment. This refers to unwanted comments, gestures, or acts directed at someone in a public space without consent. It creates an uncomfortable environment for women and can often be intimidating. Street harassment can range from derogatory comments, objectification, sexist humour to Groping or stalking. This form of harassment especially has been disregarded as a public concern but framed as the women’s fault. They are blamed for tempting offenders because of their behaviour, articles of clothing and appearance. However, it is important to note that street harassment is not a compliment but a serious violation of human rights and concerns one’s safety. Currently, there are not many resources that hold offenders accountable to victims. It is not legally prohibited in Canada, the United States and many other countries, nor are there many restorative structures to protect victims as there aren't many legal repercussions that can be taken. Girls report instances of men yelling at them, commenting on their appearances, leering at them on public transportation and much more. These harassments rarely happen just once; Groups more at risk of street harassment commonly experience it over and over again, resulting in a cumulative effect of inappropriate comments and behaviors. Street harassment can occur daily for women, often resulting in an uncomfortable space in the public.

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Digital Harassment

A form of harassment that is often underrepresented in media, is gendered digital hate, which is the harassment, hate, and discrimination towards women that occurs online. This form of gender based violence is new, in terms of method but not unpredictable, especially in social positions and digital spaces where men primarily appear in. Cyberbullying is not unheard of especially as technology dominates this generation, it is a lot easier to let your own impulsive and abhorrent thoughts about another person out when you can hide behind a screen. Though everyone online could face cyberbullying, studies have shown that women are 27 times more likely to face digital violence than men are. Targets for digital violence included girls of all ages, especially influencing young girls who are more likely to experience this sort of harassment. These forms of violence aren’t just limited to bullying, but also threats, doxxing, abuse of intimate and private photos, and with the recent development of ai softwares, many deepfake videos of women have been created, affecting female celebrities the most. 92% of women who have been digitally harassed, express that these experiences have negatively impacted their mental health and overall well-being. Long-term, the effects are more prominent as it is often linked to depression, anxiety, lowered self-esteem, body dysmorphia, etc, even leading to suicidal behaviors. Children and teenagers are especially susceptible, as they are more mentally vulnerable to negative comments, even if they are just minor.

 

There isn’t one correct way to respond to predators. It is crucial to understand that street harassment isn’t a woman's fault and often the best decision is to do whatever feels safe for the harassed. While it can feel empowering, there is no obligation to respond to any of the inappropriate comments if one is unwilling to do so. However, there are certain strategies that may be useful when street harassment concerns one’s safety. These strategies can help victims feel safer and reduce risks.

 

Go somewhere safe: When being followed or preyed on in public, it is generally a good option to enter a well-lit and protected environment. Going into a local business, store ideally with other people inside could discourage the harasser from proceeding further.

 

Stay at a public space: Staying at a well populated area restricts the predator from escalating their actions due to the presence of witnesses. It also increases the changes of human intervention from bystanders. 

 

Report: Laws regarding harassment vary within each region, but often it is reportable to the police–especially if one’s safety is involved. It is also an option to report these behaviors to businesses if the harasser can be recognized as a worker of that institution.