Safety
Knowledge Center: Living Together
Knowledge Center: Living Together
Tackling street harassment: what can you do?
Street harassment—unwanted comments, catcalling, being followed, or being addressed in a way that feels unsafe—happens to many people. Yet bystanders rarely intervene. Not because they approve of it, but because they don't know how.
Street harassment—unwanted comments, catcalling, being followed, or being addressed in a way that feels unsafe—happens to many people. Yet bystanders rarely intervene. Not because they approve of it, but because they don't know how.
That can change.
Why intervening is difficult
Most people who witness street harassment feel an urge to do something. But then: what exactly? Do I confront the perpetrator? Do I speak to the victim? What if it escalates?
That uncertainty often leads to inaction. And that is exactly what the perpetrator is counting on.
Bystander intervention
You don't have to confront the perpetrator to make a difference. There are safer and equally effective ways to intervene:
Speak to the victim
Walk up to the person and start a neutral conversation—as if you know them. "Hey, how was your day?" The harassment stops, the person is no longer alone, and the situation de-escalates.
Ask if everything is okay
After an incident, you can ask the person how they are doing. Sometimes they need a listening ear. Sometimes they don't—and that's fine too.
Ask others for help
Point to a specific person: "You there in the blue coat, can you help?" Vague appeals ("someone needs to do something") don't work. Addressing someone specifically does.
Document it
If intervening is too dangerous, you can document the situation—photo, video, notes. Afterward, ask if the person wants to file a report and if you can act as a witness.
When should you not intervene?
If the situation is physically dangerous, your own safety is the priority. Do not intervene immediately; instead, call 112 or ensure that help is summoned.
What can your organization do?
If your volunteer organization is active in public spaces—such as at events or in the neighborhood—you can train volunteers in bystander intervention. This turns every volunteer into a potential link in creating a safer environment.
Next step
Open up a discussion about this within your organization.