On 2 February 2022, the Central Bureau for Statistics (CBS) reported that two in three young women (between twelve and fifteen years old) had been bothered on the street between 2020 and 2021. Although the numbers are not decreasing, the view that this behaviour is not acceptable is increasing. Tamar Fischer, Associate Professor of Criminology at Erasmus School of Law, talked about this with NOS, Rijnmond, NU.nl and NPO Radio 1.
Wrong-way around
"It starts with staring or being catcalled, but it can also be worse: women are being followed or even closed in", Tamar Fischer explains. The Associate Professor of Criminology has been researching street harassment for several years. The result of street harassment is a change in women's behaviour; some streets are avoided, clothes are changed, and eye contact is dodged. Fischer considers this the wrong way around. Our surroundings and society should recognise and disapprove of intimidating behaviour and support the victims.
'that is life' to unacceptable behaviour
In 2017, Fischer did large-scale research in Rotterdam. The high percentages already stood out then. However, there is a big difference between the situation five years ago and now. Fischer explains that in 2017, many people said that intimidating behaviour comes with living in a big city. "Now, a lot more women say it bothers them and that they find it intimidating", stresses Fischer. "they are a lot more aware of the fact that this is unacceptable behaviour."
Identifying instead of rewarding
"Harassment of women is timeless", says Fischer. Whether the numbers increase or decrease is unclear because there is not enough data. Street harassment has become more visible in the past years because there is more attention to the problem.
Fischer believes that identifying intimidating behaviour could lead to a decrease. "It is behaviour that originates from a culture we all preserve; it is accepted, not much is done against it, and for men and boys, it offers some kind of reward". This reward could be street credibility in a group or experiencing a feeling of dominance over women and girls on the street.
However, if society would respond negatively to intimidating behaviour, this could decrease. Such a response is also essential for intimidated women that feel like they are on their own: "It is not just her problem, it is a problem of the entire society and of men and boys that do it".
Prohibition of street harassment
Fischer prefers raising awareness of our society instead of penalising it. According to the criminologist, prohibition of street harassment, popularly referred to as a "hiss ban", does not work. However, the discussions and the conversations that result from such bans could lead to improvement. "It is not just the catcalling of one man. It is the continuous feeling and the uncertainty; what is their next step? Where does this lead to? Does this lead to many unsafe situations?" Fischer says. That awareness has not existed amongst men. Raising awareness is essential, concludes Fischer. "Not everyone knows what they do is wrong, and of course, there is also a lot of fun interaction on the street".