# Stand Up Against Street Harassment - https://www.standup-international.com/ - http://ihollaback.org Attended a virtual training session via The Kingston Frontenac Anti-Violence Coordinating Committee on [[2021-09-21]]. [I recommend this training for everyone.](https://www.standup-international.com/ca/en/our-training/bystander) - 79% of situations improved with a bystander intervention - Goal of ending gender-based violence and harassment - Women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ more likely to experience street harassment - Impacts of Street Harassment - Psychological & mental health - Anxiety - Depression - PTSD - Social & financial - Limits mobility - Leaving job - Skilling school or work - Moving homes - Community - Quality of life - Bystander Intervention - The goal is community intervention - Why don’t people intervene? - People don’t act - If you’ve experienced harassment, it can be extra intimidating - Fear - In the moment, trust your instincts. Pick a less direct tool/action. - The [[Bystander effect]] - Most people want to help, but don’t know how or are worried they’re reading the situation wrong ## The 5Ds ### Distract - Create a distraction or interruption. - Create a reason for the target to interact with you, instead of dealing with the harasser. - Be clumsy! Drop a book. - Be chatty! Engage in conversation with the target. - Ask for directions, or the time. Drop something. ### Delegate - Find someone in a position of authority and ask for help. - Delegate to another bystander (create momentum to overcome the [[Bystander effect]]) - Don’t just call the police. Goal is to create a safety bubble for the person being harmed; police is not necessarily the best option for all members of the community. ### Document - Do this in tandem with something else. - The goal is to create actionable documentation for the target - Respect the consent of the person being harmed. If they want to use it, they have access. - You’ve got a cellphone. Use that camera. - Keep a safe distance. - Film street signs or other landmarks that help create location identification - Say the date and time aloud. - Laws vary; check local laws first. ### Delay - After the incident is over, check in with the person who was harassed. - “I saw that. Can I help?” - “Can I sit with you?” - “Do you need me to wait with you?” - “Can I accompany you somewhere?” - “What do you need?” - Studied the impact of Delay with Cornell University ### Direct - Steps - Step 1: Assess your safety first. - Step 2: Intervene. - Step 3: Check in with the person being harassed. - Be firm and clear. - The goal is not a back and forth. The goal is to break it up for the target’s safety (and yours). - The harasser is *not* going to listen to your logic. They likely know they’re being creepy already. ## What to do when it happens to you - It’s not your responsibility to have the perfect response. - It’s their responsibility to not harass you. - Strategies - **Trust your instincts** - You don’t owe anyone a response - There is no right or perfect response - But studies show some response (in the moment or later) reduces the long term trauma of harassment - **Reclaim your space** - Be direct. Tel the person harassing you what you want them to do and why. - Engage bystanders. Delegate. (Also, be direct!) - Document the situation. - **Practice resilience** - Get back out there, you queen. - Recognize that street harassment sucks. - Don’t minimize the experience; don’t just pretend it didn’t happen. - Talk about the experience with friends.