In 2014, Stop Street Harassment commissioned a 2,000-person nationally representative survey in the USA. 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. Now, a new campaign hopes to raise awareness about the prevalence of catcalling.
In the video below, Patrick Jones of Buzz60 heads out on the streets of NYC to cover a story about the 50 new anti-catcalling signs that have recently popped up around New York.
First, Patrick talks to some level-headed passers-by who restored my faith in the cause. "What are your thoughts on catcalling?" he asks, to which the general sentiment is, "It's disgusting." However, it doesn't take long for him to meet a man who believes cat calling is a sure-fire way to pick up women. And then, get this — during this anti-catcalling interview, this man actually catcalls a woman on camera. I mean, seriously?
The guy goes on to demonstrate how he attempts to grab the attention of random women to whom he's attracted. His tactics include making the sounds one would use to summon a pet, or referring to women as "sweethearts." Needless to say, Patrick is stunned beyond belief that he happened to run into this totally clueless New Yorker.
Many men who use catcalling as a way to talk to women believe it's a compliment, or that women secretly enjoy catcalling — which is why education is so important. The video below is now going viral, and hopefully its popularity will help spread awareness about the catcalling epidemic. Please SHARE this video with your friends on Facebook!
