What should you do if someone catcalls you?

Catcalling, also known as street harassment, is mostly directed towards young girls and women, for whom this is their first instance of sexual harassment. Street harassment is about increasing power and control over someone.

Here are some tips (safer with knowledge) on how to deal with street harassment:

1. Trust your gut. – trust your instincts and do whatever it takes to protect yourself.

2. Evaluate your safety. – go further away, if possible, go among people. If you feel threatened, don't hesitate to call the police.

3. Fake phone call. – pretend to call parents or friends.

4. Leave the situation. – cross the road, change seats and wagons.

5. Ignore it. – this is often the best answer. Bullies enjoy your attention, so ignoring them takes away their power.

6. You can tell the person to stop. – if you feel you can tell the person to stop or leave you alone, do so.

7. Realize it's the harasser’s fault.

Watching street harassment is almost as painful as being the target of it, so if you witness it, please help the person.

People need to understand that catcalling is not a compliment; it is demeaning. It makes us feel like we're just an object being scrutinized like a piece of meat. We are not sex objects, and we are more than our appearance. We deserve respect and to feel safe.

"Every time a woman stands up for herself, she stands up for all women." – Maya Angelou

Bon Voyage! :)