West Visayas State University

La Paz, Iloilo City

Street Harassment: Friend or Foe?

In Partial Fulfillment

of the Undergraduates from

College of Arts and Sciences

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

Proponents:

Nachelle Therese V. Baylon

Hannah Mica P. Gonzales

Bernadine Nikki Marie G. Pacificador

September 2016
 CHAPTER I

Introduction

Chapter 1 covers seven parts: (1) Background of the Study, (2) Statement of the

Problem, (3) Objectives of the Study, (4) Significance of the Study, (5) Definition of Terms, (6)

Delimitations of the Study, and (6) Subjectivity Statement.

Part One, Background of the Study, gives the basic information about the choice of

research problem.

Part Two, Statement of the Problem, enumerates the variables to be studied.

Part Three, Objectives of the Study, introduces the general and specific objectives of the

study.

Part Four, Significance of the Study, discusses the benefits derived from the results of

the study and the people who would benefit from them.

Part Five, Definition of Terms, presents the conceptual and operational definitions of

important terms used in the study.

Part Six, Delimitations of the Study, sets the limits and scope of operation throughout

the study and the research design used.

Part Seven, Subjectivity Statement and Biases, states the researchers’ summary to help

them identify how their personal features, experiences, beliefs, feelings, cultural standpoints,

and predispositions may affect their research and to convey the material to other scholars for

their consideration of the study's credibility, authenticity, and overall quality or validity.
 Background of the Study

We as a society have neglected public harassment, especially the heterosexually

romanticized public harassment that women experience from men: the vulgar slur that pretends

to be flattery, the act of caressing a breast or buttock that a man might explain was compelled

because the woman was so alluring, the screams and blows from playful men who harry

women because men believe them lovely—or because they believe them to be no better than

dogs (Carol Brooks Gardner 1995).

A prevailing yet continuously swept under the rug issue that is street harassment has

been plaguing society since the early 1800s. Although there is no standardized definition of

street harassment (yet), according to the anti-street harassment organization Hollaback!: it is a

form of sexual harassment that occurs mostly in public spaces. At its core is a power dynamic

that constantly reminds historically marginalized groups (women and LGBTQ+ folks, for

example) of their vulnerability to assault in public spaces. Further, it reinforces the ubiquitous

sexual objectification of these groups in everyday life. Street harassment includes unwanted

comments, gestures, and actions, forced on a stranger in a public place without their consent

and is directed at them because of their actual or perceived sex, gender, gender expression, or

sexual orientation. This type of experience is mostly common for women from all walks of life.

Street harassment in its varying forms is an expression of male supremacy and a form of

terrorization of women, with the ultimate effect of threatening any public activity. In spite of the

fact that this form of assault is usually targeted at women, men aren’t safe from street

harassment either; it’s just that female harassers are more mild and do not convey a sense of

violence upon men in comparison to what women have to deal with on a daily basis. Analyzing

the ways in which street harassment intersects gender, race and class and the role civil society
plays in eradicating it should illustrate the network of forces that prove it is a social problem

which needs to be addressed by everyone immediately (Hollaback, 2012).

To solve the issue, some public activists establish non-profit organizations in order to

inform and educate individuals who are still sleeping on the important matter. For instance, a

group called Stop Street Harassment has been dedicated to documenting and ending gender-

based street harassment worldwide. In 2010, the United Nations Women launched the “Safe

Cities Global Initiative,” a flagship program aiming to eliminate sexual violence and harassment

against women and girls in urban public spaces (UN Habitat, 2010). The initiative covers 25

cities globally. In the Philippines, the program is piloted in Quezon City. With a population of

over 3 million, Quezon City is Metro Manila’s most populous city and has a high rate of street

harassment according to conducted study by the SWS.

Despite the growing number of complaints and movements against street harassment,

very few still believe that this problem demands global attention since it has become a normal

occurrence. This type of ignorance stems from internalized sexism which allows catcallers to

spew vulgar phrases since they grew up believing that they are entitled to other people’s

bodies. This is evidently found in the popular misconception “boys will be boys” is frequently

used as an excuse to justify men’s degrading acts of street harassment. A dangerous belief

which not only perpetuates the impression that men are morally bankrupt beasts, but it also

amplifies the idea that men cannot be held accountable for their actions simply because they

are men.
 Statement of the Problem

Sexual violence exists on a spectrum. On the mildest end sit verbal harassment. On the

most severe end sits sexual assault and rape. Although these experiences aren’t

interchangeable, harassment carries many of the same traits as other forms of sexual violence,

and can cause considerable mental and emotional damage. People who experience street

harassment hail from a diverse variety of nations, races, religions, political views, relationship

statuses, education backgrounds, sizes, sexual orientations, gender identities, ages, abilities,

socioeconomic brackets – and so on and so forth. Truth be told, just about the one thing we all

have in common is a distaste of street harassment in its many ugly forms. We want to see a

safer, more equitable global society. This study aims to answer questions such as: (1) is street

harassment a human rights issue, (2) what is the fundamental cause of street harassment, and

(3) does a person’s clothes, appearance, gender, or sexual preference warrant the forcefulness

of street harassment.

Objectives of the Study

 To understand the impact of street harassment to all individuals and how this

affects their behavior and outlook on this issue

 To encourage others to share and voice out their street harassment stories and

increase public awareness

 To educate oppressors to give respect to not only women but to everyone

regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, and race

 Significance of the Study

It is clear that street harassment continues to be prevalent and has multiple negative

effects to society. Despite of this, hardly enough attention has been directed to this issue. This

might be due to the fact that some men and women view harassment as insignificant and

excuse them for compliments or gestures of flattery. This study will bring much-needed

attention to street harassment, establish that it is not “harmless,” and incite others more to

begin addressing this issue, and provide new objectives for research.

This study will also be a significant endeavour in providing information about the

negative effects of street harassment. This study will also be beneficial not only to women but

to everyone, regardless of age, gender and race. By identifying the different types of street

harassment, it can provide awareness to victims and help them fight back in one way or

another. Moreover, this research will provide individual characteristics as predictors of

subjective harassment such as gender etc.

Delimitations of the Study

This research will only cover college students from the College of Arts & Sciences of

West Visayas State University. Our findings could be more varied and diverse if we could involve

participants from different age brackets.

 Definition of Terms

 catcall – a loud whistle or a comment of sexual nature made by a man to a woman passing

by

 street harassment - a form of sexual harassment that consists of unwanted comments,

gestures, and actions forced on a stranger in a public place without their consent and is

directed at them because of their actual or perceived sex, gender, gender expression,

or sexual orientation

 internalized sexism – the involuntary belief by women that the lies, stereotypes, and myths

that are delivered to everyone in a sexist society are true

 sexual objectification – the act of treating a person as an instrument of sexual pleasure

 slur – an insinuation, allegation, or remark about someone that is likely to insult them or

damage their reputation

Subjectivity Statement

This research paper is highly significant to us, the researchers, because we have

encountered street harassment in different manners numerous times. We are victims every day

of our lives as young women. This malicious act deeply saddens and worries us as people feel

that they cannot do anything about this and girls even younger than us have to go through this

kind of maltreatment and feel powerless against their oppressors when they don’t deserve to

be. We have tried changing our commutes, alter our directions in going to places, and even

modified the kinds of clothing we would wear in order to avoid being approached, catcalled,
and even followed, which shouldn’t be the case. Through this study, we would get to know

other people’s experiences and how they handled or responded to them, and in the process,

learn from them. We would be encouraged and would also encourage others to use their voices

and speak up to raise public awareness and be of influence to others, especially to young

women like us. We refuse to believe that street harassment and all other issues concerning

women naturally exist in which change isn’t possible.

 CHAPTER II

Theoretical Framework

There have been studies that suggested reasons for the pervasiveness of street

harassment. Benard and Schlaffer (1996) proposed the male-bonding theory, stating that men

have expressed that harassment is “fun” and provides a feeling of camaraderie with other men.

20% of men stated they would not harass if they were alone. According to Gardner (1995), he

found that some men view harassment as playful. Additionally, gay men will sometimes harass

to fit in, which may also support the male-bonding theory. A few men reported that they harass

purposefully to anger or humiliate women (Benard & Schlaffer), and some use it as a way to

select rape victims (Bowman, 1993).

Three other theories are put forth by Lenton et al. (1999): social-structural, socio-

cultural, and social control theories. All three theories exhibit the power that men hold in

society, but they vary in arguments for why that power is expressed. According to the social-

structural theory, women are an oppressed group in society, and men are the oppressors, due

to men having access to more resources than women. They therefore have more power, and

harassment is a reflection of that difference. The socio-cultural argument claims that

harassment is due more to cultural gender norms than to societal structure, with men being

socialized to be aggressive and dominant and women being socialized to be more fearful and

submissive. According to the social control theory, men view the public domain as their

territory, and they harass to maintain their power as the dominant group and keep women out

of the public domain.

Furthermore, it seems that women have come to be viewed as “open persons.”

According to Erving Goffman (see Bowman, 1993; Gardner, 1995), there is the term “civil
inattention” which is defined as the way strangers behave towards each other in public, which

essentially means ignoring each other, except for briefly meeting each other’s eyes. The two

“acceptable” exceptions to this are when there is a noticeable similarity between the strangers

or when one of the strangers is an open person. An open person is someone who falls into a

category that allows civil inattention to lapse, such as someone who is accompanied by a child

or pet. Individuals who do not meet society’s standards for what is ideal may also fall into the

open person category. It appears that men have learned to treat women as open persons.

Review of Related Literature

In the study entitled NO SAFE PLACE: The Legal Regulation of Street Harassment (2002)

by Norma Anne Oshynko from the University of British Columbia, there is recognition on the

occurrence of sexual harassment in the contexts of street-based harassment and how the legal

system fails to address the issue.

Definitions of sexual harassment and street harassment include a broad scope of

behaviors, including verbal comments, staring, leering, unsolicited and unwanted touching and

physical contact. This study describes how greatly street harassment affects women in a distinct

number of ways and it can make them feel insecure and unsafe around public places.

Throughout the study, the author acknowledges how every women experience street

harassment in distinctive ways. The author studied the fear that women experience in public

and have noted that women will alter their patterns of behavior in order to protect themselves.

The study also provides solutions in order to alleviate this form of harassment.
 The author notably recognizes the disregard of the legal system to address the problem

that is street harassment, which is often ignored or trivialized. The study examines what a

problem street harassment is in greater detail and explains the harm it causes.

Further on, the study canvasses a legal response to street harassment and how the lack

of legal action affects women. However, the Author concludes that there are several drawbacks

to regulate street harassment using the law such as practicalities that will make it difficult to

practice the law. The author describes that Civil libertarians may oppose it on the grounds that

it will impede the rights of men. Despite this, the Author firmly believes that legislation is the

necessary first step and unless the law acknowledges it how severe street harassment it people

will continue to disregard it.

Our research draws upon the above literature provided by Norma Anne Oshynko. Her

study contributes valuable information regarding women’s experiences in the public sphere.
 CHAPTER III

Research Design and Methodology

This chapter describes the research design and research methodology comprising the

selection of the sample and population, establishment of trustworthiness, ethical considerations,

and data collection and analysis.

Research Design

Burns and Grove (2003) define a research design as “a blueprint for conducting a study

with maximum control over factors that may interfere with the validity of the findings”. Parahoo

(1997) describes it as “a plan that describes how, when, and where data are to be collected and

analyzed”. Polit and Hungler (1993) describe it as “an overall plan for obtaining answers to

questions under study and handling difficulties encountered during the study”.

In this study, the researchers focus on the impact of street harassment to society as a

whole as well as to mental and emotional aspects of our respondents.

Methodology

For this study, the researchers will be using narrative inquiry, through conducting an

interview and with the following questions:

(1) What is your general understanding of street harassment?

(2) Why is street harassment still happening?

(3) How often do you experience street harassment on a daily basis?

(4) Why do you think the perpetuator committed such acts? (i.e. catcalling, unwanted

touching, lewd noises/remarks, inappropriate staring) What were their intentions?

 (5) Do you agree that street harassment should be taken as seriously as sexual

harassment and other abuses?

(6) What do you think should be done to stop street harassment?

Setting

Interviews were done within the main campus of West Visayas State University and

through the internet.

Participants

The participants are college students from the College of Arts & Sciences and the

researchers did not only interview a female but also a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

Ethical Considerations

The questions were given in advance to the participants through personal message on

Facebook for careful review and to give them ample time to prepare their answers for the

interview on our agreed date and time. The researchers also assured the participants that

confidentiality will be upheld in terms of their identities and personal experiences found in their

answers and that there is mutual integrity between the two parties.

Data Collection

The data were collected through personal and online interview.

Data Gathering Instrument

The instrument used for gathering the data was the researcher’s laptop, as it is where

the researcher took down the respondents’ answers. As for online interview, a laptop was also

used, as the other interview was conducted through personal message on Facebook.
 Data Analysis

The data collected were analysed easier and faster because it was written down.
 CHAPTER IV

Results and Discussions

Generally speaking, this study aims to recognize and examine how potent the impact of

street harassment is.

Specifically, this study aims to answer:

(1) What is your general understanding of street harassment?

ANSWER: “Street harassment refers to a range of harassing behaviors that occur

on the street or in other public places including catcalling, sexually explicit

comments, unwanted touching, and other unwanted attention and behavior. Street

harassment is as an under-recognized problem with potentially harmful

psychological and physical consequences for (especially) women and also men.”

RESPONDENT #1: “Street harassment is any act that may make someone else,

may it be someone you know or not, feel uncomfortable or unsafe. It may be

physically, verbally, emotionally, sexually and even morally.”

RESPONDENT #2: “For me, street harassment refers to unwanted behavior done

by someone to you. It can be a form of verbal or physical force that makes you feel

unsafe in public spaces.”

(2) Why is street harassment still happening?

ANSWER: “We live in a male-dominated society wherein the struggles of

marginalized groups (i.e. women, LGBTQ+ community) are not seen as a matter of

substance unless it involves those on top of the patriarchal pyramid. Add to the fact
 that the world is in dire straits, street harassment pales in comparison to other world

contingencies thus it is not taken as seriously as it should.”

RESPONDENT #1: “The street harassment of women because of their gender is

usually not taken seriously it. It’s seen as a joke, compliment, or their fault. It is

none of these things.”

RESPONDENT #2: “Street harassment is still happening because we live in a

poverty-stricken society and with that come uneducated people because of their

poor upbringing.”

(3) How often do you experience street harassment on a daily basis?

ANSWER: “We experience street harassment once we step out of our gates or

subdivisions – when we wait for the sikad and jeepney, when we’re on our way to

school and on the way back home, and when we’re just casually walking on the

streets.”

RESPONDENT #1: “As of now, I oftentimes experience street harassment

especially that I’m currently staying here in the city where street harassment is

indeed a usual thing to get encountered with.”

RESPONDENT #2: “I experience street harassment at least once a day.”

(4) Why do you think the perpetuator committed such acts? What were their intentions?

(i.e. catcalling, unwanted touching, lewd noises/remarks, inappropriate staring)

ANSWER: “The perpetuator committed such acts because they are simply

uneducated and in the case of men, they are the products of hyper-masculinity.”
 RESPONDENT #1: “In my opinion, I think those guys started catcalling me

because they didn’t want to seem boring or “torpe” when it comes to getting the

attention of something they like. But they were stupid enough that they forgot that

on the other side was another person who felt uncomfortable and unsafe with what

they did.”

RESPONDENT #2: “One main reason could be is that maybe these people are

just bullies or maybe because they also experience street harassments that’s why

they tend to do the same. One presumptive reason would also be because of the

person’s self-expression. It can be the way he behaves in public, the ways he

dresses himself or with his physical attributes. Thatʼs why those people who are

disabled, those who belong in the LGBTQ community and others are likely to

experience street harassment.”

(5) Do you agree that street harassment should be taken as seriously as sexual

harassment and other abuses?

ANSWER: “Yes, because street harassment could be the root of other abuses

such as sexual harassment and other forms of violence.”

RESPONDENT #1: “Yes I think people should really take it seriously. Sometimes

it even outcrosses the line of sexual harassment. People often underestimate the

havoc street harassment can do.”

RESPONDENT #2: “I believe that there are different levels of street harassment

but since it can create a negative effect to the victims or even negative implication in

our society, it really makes a necessary standpoint that street harassment must be

taken in a higher degree of consideration.”

 (6) What do you think should be done to stop street harassment?

ANSWER: “Education is always the key.”

RESPONDENT #1: “The issue on street harassment comes in different level of

understanding, thus, making it necessary for us to evaluate each level and make

appropriate measure therefore. In order to create a solution to this problem, we

must start in the beginning of the cycle. It starts in our home and in school as

premium institutions to address this issue and to educate everyone about respect of

human dignity and respect of the laws in our society for there are some laws that do

not tolerate street harassment especially those that are involving serious sexual or

physical damages.”

RESPONDENT #2: “Create a law that states that street harassment is illegal,

which will initiate the government officials to start condemning any action that is

considered as a street harassment. Also, educate the people of proper etiquette that

will help them instil in their minds that such actions are considered street

harassment and are therefore unacceptable in public.”

Based on the data we have collected from our respondents, street harassment is the result of

lack of education and respect not only to women but to people in general. Respect even comes

under being educated, but it could also follow that you don’t need to have a high educational

attainment to know and to have that value.

 Findings

After conducting this study, the researchers have found answers to the following

questions, as stated from the Statement of the Problem in Chapter One:

(1) Is street harassment a human rights issue?

ANSWER: Street harassment is a harmful and serious social ill because it falls along

a spectrum of violence. It can start as verbal harassment and escalate to sexual

assault and rape—and even murder. In reality, women and members of the LGBTQ+

are the main targets of street harassment. Their peace of mind and mobility is being

violated thus makes it a gender equality and human rights issue. No country has

achieved gender equality and no country ever will until street harassment ends.

(2) What is the fundamental cause of street harassment?

ANSWER: It all comes down to power. The privileged prey on the weak and in this

case, women and queer people are at the bottom while male supremacists are the

ones in control. The minority are oppressed through street harassment for it serves

as a ‘reminder’ that they are vulnerable.

(3) Do a person’s clothes, appearance, gender, or sexual preference warrant the

forcefulness of street harassment?

ANSWER: There are instances that perpetuators aren't picky with their victims'

clothes and/or appearance, but in terms of gender and sexual preference, yes.
 CHAPTER V

Conclusions and Recommendations

Chapter 5 consists of two parts: (1) Conclusions; and (2) Recommendations.

Part One, Conclusions, presents the inferences drawn from the findings of the study.

Part Two, Recommendations, offers some recommendations based on the findings and

conclusions drawn from the study.

Conclusions

Street harassment is often regarded with the perception that it is an issue beyond grave

importance but our study focuses to understand its implications to all individuals and how it

might affect their behaviour and perspective on the issue. It is also to stimulate awareness and

educate oppressors to give respect not only to women of society but to everyone regardless of

one’s gender, sexual orientation, etc. This study also aimed to know the contrasting experiences

of the people in our community, particularly in our college, with regards to street harassment.

This study concludes that street harassment is a serious issue that should not be

tolerated and should be provided ample amount of attention. Action is also necessary in order

to end street harassment and this requires individuals, the community, an accountable police

force, and laws that apply. Whichever particular strategies may be adopted, it is important to

take advantage of the power of the legal system to further signify how street harassment is

unacceptable, to designate such behavior, and dissuade oppressors. It is essential to raise

awareness of this issue and to speak out against it.

 Recommendations

Based on the conclusions, ending street harassment requires individual, community, and

national action, commitment, and collaboration. The following recommendations are as follows:

(1) Learn more about the issue itself. It is better to fully understand an issue by doing

research and to seek credible modes of sources.

(2) Talk about the issue. Let us stop feeding the ignorance regarding street harassment and

instead raise awareness may it be to friends, family, neighbors, classmates, or

colleagues.

(3) Share and listen to stories. The most powerful way we can make a difference is by

sharing our street harassment experiences and encouraging others to do the same.

(4) Provide means to make a difference. There is no action too small for individuals to make

a difference, whether it may be simply sharing your story or speaking our when street

harassment happens to you.

(5) Educate the younger generation. Street harassment begins at a young age and all

schools and universities should address it with their young students.

We won’t end street harassment until we end sexism. That is also why the feminist

movement is so important and integral to creating a better world for people of every gender.

Until we address the power dynamics that exist between men and women in public spaces, we

will never really fully understand or get to the root of why street harassment happens.

Embracing feminism, thinking and acting critically, and addressing gender roles and norms is at

the heart of ending street harassment.