Define Catcalling
Catcalling refers to shouting or making unwelcome, unsolicited comments or sounds, often of a sexual nature, at someone publicly (Merriam-Webster Dictionary, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catcalling). It typically involves a person yelling, whistling, honking, or making offensive remarks about another person’s appearance or gender from a distance. Catcalling often takes place in public spaces like streets, parks, public transit, stores, restaurants, etc.
Some examples of catcalling include:
- Whistling or honking car horns at someone walking down the street
- Shouting sexually explicit comments about someone’s body
- Making kissing sounds or barking noises at strangers
- Asking intrusive questions about someone’s relationship status
- Yelling derogatory terms like “hey baby” to people you don’t know
While the harasser may think it’s harmless, catcalling can make the targeted person feel threatened, humiliated, and unsafe.
Why Catcalling is Problematic
Catcalling makes the recipients feel objectified, sexualized, and harassed. Studies show that 88% of women ages 18-24 have experienced street harassment at least once. Forms of street harassment like catcalling are often unsolicited, unwanted, and threatening. They make women feel like objects rather than human beings. Catcalling promotes the harmful notion that women’s bodies exist for men’s pleasure and consumption.
Many women feel unsafe walking down the street alone because of the prevalence of catcalling. In a Cornell study, 85% of women experienced street harassment before age 17. Catcalling can have serious psychological impacts on girls and women, making them feel self-conscious, anxious, depressed or angry. It perpetuates rape culture by normalizing male entitlement to women’s bodies in public spaces.
Your Safety Comes First
Your personal safety should always be your top priority. While catcalling is demeaning, it’s important to carefully assess the situation before responding, especially if you feel unsafe or uneasy.
If you are alone or it’s nighttime, try not to escalate or confront the harasser directly, as this could put you in harm’s way. Avoid making eye contact or engaging with the catcaller if possible. Stay calm, and keep walking confidently.
If you feel threatened, call or text someone you trust and let them know what’s happening. Avoid isolated areas, and try to reach a public place with people around. Don’t be afraid to ask someone nearby for help. If needed, call emergency services.
Trust your instincts. Remember, you do not owe a harasser your time or attention. Your personal safety always comes first. Assess the risks, and do not escalate if it seems unsafe.
While ignoring catcalling can feel powerless, walking away safely allows you to address it from a position of strength later on. There are many options for reporting harassment that don’t endanger you in the moment.
Assert Yourself
One of the most important things to do when being catcalled is to assert yourself and make it clear the behavior is unwanted. While ignoring catcallers or staying silent may seem like the easiest option, it can reinforce the false idea that catcalling is acceptable. Speaking up helps set boundaries and challenges inappropriate conduct.
There are various ways to verbally object to catcalling. You can directly tell the harasser their behavior is inappropriate and needs to stop. Saying something like “That comment is not okay. Don’t speak to me that way” makes it clear their actions are unacceptable. Other options are using humor, sarcasm, or asking questions like “Why would you say that to me?” to highlight the absurdity of catcalling. Any response that expresses your discomfort or disapproval can be effective.
The key is to respond in whatever way makes you feel safest and most comfortable. Don’t feel pressured to be overly polite or accommodating when interacting with a harasser. While avoiding escalation is wise, you have every right to stand up for yourself. With practice, asserting yourself against street harassment can become easier over time.
Remember, you should never have to remain silent or just take unwanted comments from strangers. Despite what some claim, verbal objections to catcalling do not “provoke” further harassment. The blame lies solely with those who engage in harassing behaviors in the first place. Speaking out can help discourage future harassment while also empowering yourself. Don’t be afraid to make clear that catcalling is unacceptable.
Report Serious Incidents
If you experience severe harassment, unwanted physical contact, stalking, or threats of violence, it’s important to contact the authorities right away. Many areas have laws against street harassment and unwanted sexual comments. You have the right to feel safe and seek justice.
In cases of immediate physical danger, call emergency services like 911. You can also call a non-emergency police number to file a report of harassment or stalking that has occurred over time. Provide details like location, license plates, and descriptions if possible. According to Stop Street Harassment, reporting can lead to increased police presence and crackdowns on harassment hot spots.
For ongoing digital harassment, take screenshots for evidence and report to platforms like social media sites or dating apps. You can also file police reports for cyberstalking and criminal threats. Understand the laws in your area and consult authorities on the best way to document and report incidents.
Even if authorities decide a case doesn’t warrant criminal charges, reporting can establish a paper trail in case the harassment escalates. Never feel ashamed or silenced. You deserve to live free from fear and intimidation.
Find Support
Dealing with catcalling can be an isolating and upsetting experience. It’s important to find people you trust to talk to about it. Friends, counselors, and support groups can provide empathy, advice, and reassurance that you’re not alone. According to Bustle, talking with other women who have experienced catcalling can help validate your feelings and make you feel less singled out.
Seeking professional counseling can also help you process catcalling incidents, manage emotional impacts like anger or fear, and develop coping strategies. Counselors are trained to provide judgment-free support. There are many local and online resources to find a counselor if needed.
Joining anti-harassment organizations and advocacy groups is another way to connect with others who want to make public spaces safer. You can volunteer, find community events, or participate in awareness campaigns. Having a sense of solidarity and working toward change can be empowering.
Avoid Victim Blaming
It’s important to recognize that the fault lies entirely with the catcaller, not with you. Sometimes women who experience catcalling may be told they were “asking for it” based on what they wore or where they went. But this is victim blaming, and it’s never acceptable. As research from the University of Utah shows, “I blamed myself for being catcalled. It made me reflect on instances of more severe sexual violence and how victims must blame themselves too.”
Even if you question your own actions, know that you bear no responsibility for someone else’s misconduct. An article in The Guardian affirms this: “Others believe somehow that catcalling is complimentary. It never is, because compliments do not incite fear. Catcalls give women pangs of fear – however fleeting – for good reason. They are an expression not of admiration but of entitlement.” You have a right to exist in public spaces without harassment.
Rather than second-guess yourself, keep the focus on the inappropriate behavior of the catcaller. Seek support from friends or a counselor to process any self-blame you may feel. And know that no matter what you were wearing or where you were, catcalling is never justified.
Promote Awareness
One way to combat catcalling and bring attention to the issue is to promote awareness. Sharing stories of catcalling experiences, whether your own or others, can help demonstrate how prevalent and problematic this behavior is. Projects like Chalk Back provide a platform for people to share their stories publicly and raise awareness. Consider sharing your story (anonymously if preferred) on a site like this to add your voice. You can also share stories on social media using hashtags like #StopStreetHarassment to connect with others.
Organizing or participating in public protests is another powerful way to increase awareness and pressure for change. Activists around the world have held demonstrations against street harassment – see examples on this page. Look for local events to join or start your own.
Finally, work to educate people in your life by calling out inappropriate behaviors and explaining why catcalling and street harassment are never okay. The more we speak up and challenge norms, the more progress we can make.
Push for Change
One of the most impactful ways to combat catcalling is to advocate for laws, policies, and education around street harassment. Many cities and states do not have specific laws prohibiting street harassment, or have laws that are not consistently enforced (RAINN). Contacting local government representatives to propose legislation for public harassment or advocating for stricter enforcement of existing laws can help lead to meaningful change. You can also push for policies in schools, workplaces, and local communities that promote awareness, education, reporting, and prevention of street harassment.
Getting involved with organizations like Stop Street Harassment and Hollaback! allows you to join forces with others to advocate on a larger scale through campaigns, petitions, and protests. Raising public awareness and keeping the conversation going on social media can put pressure on lawmakers and authorities to address street harassment as the pervasive issue that it is. Though shifting culture and attitudes takes time and persistence, reform starts at the individual level. Making your voice heard sends the message that catcalling should not be dismissed as harmless, but rather challenged so that everyone feels safe and respected in public spaces.
Practice Self-Care
Being catcalled can leave you feeling shaken, anxious, angry, or ashamed. It’s important to take time for self-care after these experiences. Self-care can help empower you and restore your sense of self-worth.
Do things that make you feel good about yourself. Take a relaxing bath, exercise, or listen to uplifting music. Spend time on hobbies you enjoy. Talk to supportive friends who validate your feelings. Avoid blaming yourself for the harassment – the blame lies entirely with the catcaller.
“Self-care can help empower you and restore your sense of self-worth after being catcalled.” (Source)
Consider seeing a counselor if you’re struggling with difficult emotions after an incident. Take time to heal emotionally. Feeling empowered and taking care of yourself can diminish the catcaller’s power over you.