SEXUAL HARASSMENT

BY : BRGITTA PRINSLOO AND MARIA ACINTYA

TYPES

 Verbal
Sexual harassment commonly divided into two types, which is verbal and non-verbal.
A verbal sexual harassment includes lewd jokes to the victim in order to make the victim feel
offended or humiliated. For example: went home this late, what kind of woman are you?, how
much? Wow, what a curvy body. Cat-calling from a known or unknown person. Humiliating
name-calling, such as “Si Bohay” or “Tante montok”. Lecherous comments full of sexual
connotation or suggestive words. For example: if I wasn’t attached and you weren’t married, I’d
be all over you like a rash. Tell a sexual story or experience to a person who doesn’t want to
listen to it.
 Non verbal
Example may include sexual looks and lewd gestures such as leering or ogling with suggestive
overtones, touching a person sexually or persistent and unwelcome flirting, displaying sexually
suggestive pictures calendars or posters, and stalking. In public places or transportations the
commonly conducted non-verbal sexual harassment includes rubbing or squeezing a victim’s
body.

CASES

 A stewardess of Garuda Indonesia was sexually harassed by her passengers when she offered to
get them some drink. When she asked them what to get, one of the passengers asked for milk.
And then the other passenger said which milk, the left or the right one? And then the laughed
obscenely. (Wednesday, 25 May 2016)

 A 20 years old woman walked in deserted street alone in the night. In the corner of the street
there were a group of men smoking and laughing. When she walked in front of them, they
immediately cat-calling her and said some inappropriate words to her. She felt so uncomfortable
with the situation and walked faster to get home. Thankfully, nothing happened to her.

Tips and tricks

Hug your chest or hold something on your chest while you’re walking, especially in a quiet street, darken
alley, or in public transportation.

Be more aware of your surroundings, especially when you’re in public places or transportations. Don’t
pay too much attention to your phone and use headset.

If you walk in a narrow alley, walk with your back facing a person from other direction.
Glare back at the person who makes you feel uncomfortable.

Don’t get inside a public transportation filled with men only.