Join our Campaign: Leah’s story of campus harassment

We are taking Hollaback! to the next level, take a minute to watch our campaign video and to donate here. Yesterday was the first day of our campaign and we already raised $1,570 of our $25,000 goal! Help us to end harassment on college campuses! Donate today, every donation counts!

Published on May 16, 2012 at 11:16 am

Why our campaign to end campus harassment matters

BY EMILY MAY

I grew up on a pretty steady diet of Sesame Street. I moved to New York City from Richmond when I was 18 years old — and as I was exiting my dorm some guy said “hey baby” to me. Assuming New York City was like grown-up Sesame Street, I said “hey” back. He responded, “I want to **** the **** out of you.” The harassment continued throughout my college education, and I figured it was my fault. I didn’t look “tough” enough, and if I was really a strong woman than it wouldn’t hurt so much. But it did.

We started Hollaback! in 2005 thinking that street harassment was an urban problem. Over the past seven years I’ve talked to thousands of college students, and they’ve shown me that street harassment happens all over college campuses. It doesn’t matter how big or small the campus is, or if it’s in a rural or urban area. Studies show that 51% of college men admit to harassing their female counterparts, which of course means the reality is much, much worse.

My sister is going to college next year, and from where I’m sitting enough is enough. In a 2005 study 57% of students said that they wanted an anonymous online reporting platform to address campus harassment. It was by far and away the #1 solution voted for by students. When I called the author of the report, she said that no one ever implemented the recommendation. NO ONE. Luckily, anonymous online reporting is what Hollaback! does best.

We’re taking Hollaback! to the next level, and we need your support. Take two minutes to watch our campaign video and donate here.

This is a long fight — but we’re in it to win it. And with your support, all the baby girls rolling around in strollers today will never have to experience campus harassment the way that we have.

Published on May 16, 2012 at 10:08 am

Why Healthy Masculinity?

Street harassment is one of the most pervasive forms of gender-based violence and one of the least legislated against – and rarely, if ever, is it linked to masculinity. It’s time to make the connection between our experiences on the street with what society teaches boys about what it means to be a man. And it’s time to offer a positive alternative – healthy masculinity. Now, some of the nation’s leading non-profit organizations are coming together to launch the most comprehensive effort ever centered on centered on non-violent, emotionally healthy masculinity.

What is the Healthy Masculinity Action Project (HMAP)?

The Healthy Masculinity Action Project (HMAP) is a two-year national grassroots initiative to build a new generation of male leaders who will model non-violent, emotionally healthy masculinity and serve as positive change makers in society – helping to take their communities from awareness to action. Everyday men, women, and teens nationwide are all driving HMAP.

Who is behind HMAP?

Men Can Stop Rape, the project leader, is joined by HMAP’s organizing partners: the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, Men Stopping Violence, Coach for America, Women of Color Network, and A CALL TO MEN.

A number of organizations are helping by promoting HMAP to their national networks. Hollaback! is among them.

We hope you will join us in this effort. Ultimately, it will take everyone for HMAP to be a success.

The Healthy Masculinity Summit will kick off HMAP this October. Watch for more information in upcoming weeks.

Published on May 15, 2012 at 5:21 pm

A week in our shoes: HILLARY CLINTON EDITION

Hello Hollabackers!

Not gonna lie. Hillary Clinton is a childhood hero of mine.  When I was little, I only knew about three women who wanted to change the world. There was Susan B. Anthony, but she was way before my time.  There was Mother Theresa, but I thought I liked boys too much for that path.  And then, there was Hillary Clinton.  I read “It Takes a Village” cover to cover when I was fourteen, and I’ve been watching and admiring ever since. Who knew, that I’d grow up to co-found a nonprofit that got funded by the AMAZING New York Women’s Foundation — and that I’d get to share a stage with Hillary Clinton.

Thank you all for your ongoing support that makes Hollaback! happen, and without further ado, updates!

We held our first safety audit in Queens! We want to thank Councilmember Ferreras and her team for partnering with us — it was a total success! Details are here.

We presented at the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Violence Conference! I kicked of the conference with a keynote about our work to end street harassment. It was their first conference in six years, and over 200 people were there. WOOT!

We’re expanding to address campus harassment! We met with students from NYU, Rutgers, and Western Carolina who are going to pilot our new campus harassment initiative.  Our indiegogo campaign to support our work with campus harassment starts next week — stay tuned!

If you’re in New York, join us at our benefit show hosted by our friends at Permanent Wave next Tuesday (the 15th) and sign up to march with us in the Pride Parade on June 24th.

HOLLA and out!

Emily

Published on May 11, 2012 at 3:23 pm

Indian woman speak out about street harassment!

While we don’t think that violence is any answer to street harassment, we do understand where these women are coming from. Street harassment is scary, and our studies show that speaking up and speaking out about minimizes the emotional trauma.  So keep it up, ladies! We’re fighting right alongside of you.

Published on May 11, 2012 at 12:45 pm

17 de Mayo- Día Internacional contra la Homofobia

Un mundo sin discriminación en todos espacios es posible.

Published on 2012-05-17 04:53:14

International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia 17 May 2012

As this is being written, tomorrow is just a couple hours away. Tomorrow (Thursday) is the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia.

Halifax is marking the day with a gathering in Grand Parade Square at 6PM tomorrow. This year, the theme is “Reclaiming our space, reclaiming our rights.” There will be ASL interpreters for the event.

Whether you’re a member of our rainbow community, or a proud ally, please come downtown to Grand Parade tomorrow evening. Reclaim your space. Reclaim your rights.

We hope to see you there.

Published on 2012-05-16 22:07:19

Come Hear Director Kacie Lyn Kocher@ Koc University tomorrow at 5pm!

On Thursday May 17th at 5pm, Director Kacie Lyn Kocher will also be on the panel on sexual harassment at Koc University. Meet us!

Published on 2012-05-16 19:04:54

Hollaback Istanbul chosen as one of the finalists to receive The Fire Starter Sessions by Danielle Porte!

Yay for us! We were just chosen as one of the finalist social movement organizations to receive The Fire Starter Sessions by Danielle Porte for free which is about female empowerment and entrepreneurial success: http://www.daniellelaporte.com/general-announcements/charity-love-votes-books-books-books/ Know of any other great resources that can help our movement grow? Send them to us: istanbul@ihollaback.org

Published on 2012-05-16 19:01:26

Siguió su camino y yo el mío

Un día como cualquier otro salí a la tienda, iba caminando por al banqueta y por el mismo lado se aproximaba un perro así es que me moví a la otra. Un carro se paró y me preguntó si me llevaba, yo como soy respetuosa contesté inocente ‘no gracias’  y me alejé, el tipo se quedó con cara de que no entendí, y siguió su camino y yo el mío

Published on 2012-05-16 16:57:14

I am a feminist!

Jako mi se sviđa ova slika odnosno stav koji se iskazuje  =   primijeti nejednakost u svom društvu, i izjasni se kao feministica! No što ako sve to primijećujemo i shvaćamo bit borbe za jednakost, ali se NE želimo izjasniti kao feministice?

Baš sam neki dan izašla sa svojim ženskim društvom i na povratku kući s jednom poznanicom ukratko ušla u razgovor o feminizmu. Ona ima jasne stavove o položaju žena u društvu i vrlo je samosvjesna. Tijekom večeri pričale smo ukratko o pritisku kojeg osjećamo a tiče se izgleda, koliko kila trebamo imati, kako se oblačiti, da se osjećamo deblje nego što jesmo, pričale smo i o nekim feminističkim knjigama… Ukratko cura za koju bi mnogi rekli da je feministkinja. No ona je na kraju večeri rekla da se nikad ne bi tako deklarirala, jer svaku kategorizaciju smatra preuskom i ne želi se uopće izjašnjavati na taj način.

Hm.

Ne želim dalje ulaziti u njezine razloge, jer se bojim da ću samo krivo prenijeti, a uostalom ova priča mi je poslužila da dođem do svojih razmišljanja i ovdje ukratko razložim zašto mislim da bi se baš trebali tako deklarirati. Ukratko rečeno, zašto u javnosti treba ‘izaći iz ormara’ i jasno i glasno reći “Ja sam feministica”.

Jako dobro razumijem potrebu da se ne kategoriziramo. Većinom vremena smo ionako u nekoj kategoriji, htjeli mi to ili ne, a s njom nužno gubimo dio svog identiteta. Kategorije su uvijek općenite i apstraktne i dolaze s hrpom iskrivljenih informacija odnosno predrasuda. Ja sam većinom, posebno u pubertetu, mrzila stavljati sebe u bilo koju kategoriju, pa čak i onu koju sam smatrala pozitivnom i kojoj sam možda htjela pripadati, to je bio moj adolescentski bunt.

Feminizam je uostalom vrlo zaj… kategorija. Mainstream javnost ne razumije feminizam i za njega veže puno negativnih stereotipa i predrasuda, od onih koji govore da danas više nije potreban do onog “dobrog starog stava” da su feministice brkate ružne žene koje pale grudnjake (ne mogu a da se ne nasmijem na to – nikad ga nisam mogla ozbiljno shvatiti, možda zato što ga sama nikad nisam čula, ali vjerujem da ženama koje su to osjetile na svojoj koži nije bilo toliko smiješno). Ako saznamo više o feminizmu, shvaćamo da postoji više feminizama, koji su ponekad i vrlo oštro međusobno suprotstavljeni, i u svakoj temi postoje različita stajališta. Što onda znači biti feministica? Ako se toliko razlikujemo, da li onda javnim istupanjem išta bitnog govorimo, pa je možda ipak bolje ostati po strani?

Vjerujem da ne bi trebali ostati po strani. Radi se o kategoriji koja ima izrazitu društvenu konotaciju – odnosno kojom izričemo svoj stav o tome kakvo društvo želimo. Kad ogolimo feminizme od svih nesuglasica koje se većinom tiču razmišljanja o porijeklu spolnih / rodnih razlika (zašto se muškarci i žene razlikuju i koliko se razlikuju) i načina kako postići ciljeve feminizma i njihovim prioritetima, a razmislimo samo o  glavnom cilju feminizma – onda se svodi na to da feminizam nastoji ukloniti nejednakosti između žena i muškaraca – da žene imaju šansu ostvariti sve što i  muškarci, i obrnuto, dakle da spol ili spolne uloge ne determiniraju naše šanse u ovom svijetu. Feminizam također kritizira postojeće norme i traži da gledamo na svijet kritičkim pogledom, iz drugačije (ženske) perspektive i time otkrivamo nejednakosti i mogućnosti za poboljšanje.

Pod pojmom feminist/-ica zauzimam se za takav cilj i kritičko promišljanje. Izbjegavanje ‘trpanja u kategoriju’ je razumljivo, ali ako ta kategorija označava cilj u kojeg vjerujem i želim da se ostvari, onda ja želim biti u toj kategoriji. Izjašnjavanje povlači za sobom opasnost od predrasuda i nerazumijevanja, ali i šansu da dobijemo priliku objasniti svoju poziciju, a više glasova znači  još više šansi za razumijevanjem i promjenom. U neku ruku to je i zabavan i društveno koristan bunt. Zašto se ne bi svi našli i glasno i jasno rekli “I am a feminist”? Ajmo, što čekamo?!

Barbara

Published on 2012-05-16 14:15:48

Join our Campaign: Leah's story of campus harassment

We are taking Hollaback! to the next level, take a minute to watch our campaign video and to donate here. Yesterday was the first day of our campaign and we already raised $1,570 of our $25,000 goal! Help us to end harassment on college campuses! Donate today, every donation counts!

Published on 2012-05-16 11:16:04

Canımız Sokakta'dan haberler: Anneler günü kutlaması, insan hakları ile ilgili film yapımcılığı yaz okulu, üniversite işbirlikleri ve daha fazlası

Canımız Sokakta Anneler Gününüzü Kutlar!
Dünya çapında annelerimize tekrar sevgimizi ve minnettarlığımızı gösterdiğimiz bir gün olacak. Kutlamadan bir adım öteye giderek kendimize sormalıyız: annelerimize çocukların bakımı, yaşlılarla ilgilenme ve ev yönetimi hakkında nasıl yardımcı olabiliriz? Şirketler annelere nasıl davranıyor? Toplulumuz annelere nasıl davranıyor? Bu pazar günü annelerimize minnettarlığımızı yansıtalım, ve annelerimize yardım konusunda standartlarımızı yükseltelim.

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İnsan haklarıyla ilgili bir projede çalışan bir film yapımcısı mısınız? İnsan hakları, sinema ve aktif destek ile ilgili bu yaz okuluna göz atın. 20 mayısa kadar başvuru alınıyor. Buradan bakabilirsiniz: http://www.chra.ie/

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Geçen hafta Fatih Üniversitesi’nin çocuk tacizi, ev içi şiddet ve aktif destek dersindeydik. Üniversitenize kampüs güvenliği, sokak tacizi ve toplum değişimi hakkında tartışmalar getirmek ister misiniz? Beraber çalışalım. Bize istanbul@ihollaback.com’dan ulaşabilirsiniz.

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Yaşasın! Danielle Porte’nin The Fire Starter Sessions kitap ödülünü kazanan sosyal hareket organizasyonlarından biri olduk. Bu kitap kadınların güçlendirilmesi ve girişimcilik başarıları ile ilgili. Organizasyonumuzun büyümesine yardımcı olabilecek başka kaynaklar biliyor musunuz? Bize istanbul@ihollaback.org’dan ulaşabilirsiniz.

Published on 2012-05-16 10:52:46

L.Q.'s Story: It clearly wasn't a premeditated attack

I was walking home from the library after a late night of studying. I was just a few paces from my apartment building’s door when I heard fast footsteps coming behind me. A shorter man in his mid to late 50s was charging at me, holding plastic bags — I thought he was a delivery man who was running late.

I turned to apologize for being startled, but when he came close to me, he shoved me against the wall. He grabbed my neck and my face, but I was much taller than him and was able to push him off me. When he realized I could physically dominate him, he fled. I chased him for a bit, screaming the whole time. I was shaking so hard I couldn’t hold my key steady to open the door for at least five minutes.

It clearly wasn’t a premeditated attack — it looked like he was carrying home groceries to his wife and decided to approach me on a whim. I have no idea what he thought was going to happen. Did he really think he could rape me, a 187 cm tall woman, under the eyes of about two thousand residential windows?

Published on 2012-05-16 10:47:47

Today's Miss Representation Screening @ Bilgi Santral Cancelled!

Sorry for any inconvenience, stay tuned for rescheduling.

Published on 2012-05-16 10:34:12

English Story Sharing this Sunday! Molly's Cafe 4-6 PM

anımız Sokakta holds two Story Sharing events for those who have experienced street harassment to share their stories and get support from a psychologist and lawyer
Canımız Sokakta has been providing a virtual space for victims of street harassment to interact and share their stories on the website www.canimizsokakta.com. That belief in the importance of storysharing is behind Canımız Sokakta’s new initative: creating a safe space for those with stories of harassment to share their experiences in a live story sharing event. At Molly’s Café in Galata, there will be two story sharing events (one in English and one in Turkish). Both will be moderated by psychologist Inci Tebis and lawyer Nihan Guneli, who will facilitate the discussion of personal stories and will provide guidance and support for those who have experienced street harassment.

“With these events, we aim to complement the website’s story-sharing function by fostering an open, theraputic environment where people can give and receive support through sharing their stories in person,” Canımız Sokakta volunteer and Story Sharing events coordinator Maggie Hunter explains. “We hope to raise awareness of the issues of street harassment in general, help particpants reflect on their individual experiences, and remind participants that they are not alone

Published on 2012-05-16 10:31:58

Why our campaign to end campus harassment matters

BY EMILY MAY

I grew up on a pretty steady diet of Sesame Street. I moved to New York City from Richmond when I was 18 years old — and as I was exiting my dorm some guy said “hey baby” to me. Assuming New York City was like grown-up Sesame Street, I said “hey” back. He responded, “I want to **** the **** out of you.” The harassment continued throughout my college education, and I figured it was my fault. I didn’t look “tough” enough, and if I was really a strong woman than it wouldn’t hurt so much. But it did.

We started Hollaback! in 2005 thinking that street harassment was an urban problem. Over the past seven years I’ve talked to thousands of college students, and they’ve shown me that street harassment happens all over college campuses. It doesn’t matter how big or small the campus is, or if it’s in a rural or urban area. Studies show that 51% of college men admit to harassing their female counterparts, which of course means the reality is much, much worse.

My sister is going to college next year, and from where I’m sitting enough is enough. In a 2005 study 57% of students said that they wanted an anonymous online reporting platform to address campus harassment. It was by far and away the #1 solution voted for by students. When I called the author of the report, she said that no one ever implemented the recommendation. NO ONE. Luckily, anonymous online reporting is what Hollaback! does best.

We’re taking Hollaback! to the next level, and we need your support. Take two minutes to watch our campaign video and donate here.

This is a long fight — but we’re in it to win it. And with your support, all the baby girls rolling around in strollers today will never have to experience campus harassment the way that we have.

Published on 2012-05-16 10:08:55

הפסקתי להקשיב, הפסקתי לדבר

אזהרת טריגר

בין שלל הדיווחים על הטרדות רחוב שנשלחים אלינו, מדי פעם נשלחים אלינו דיווחים על אלימות מינית בהקשרה הרחב. אף על פי שאנחנו אתר המוקדש להטרדת רחוב בעיקרו, גם עדויות אמיצות על אונס ותקיפה מינית מצאו את דרכן לתיבת הדוא”ל שלנו. מתוך תחושת כבוד לכותבות ולכותבים והבנה כי מדובר בביטויים שונים שמקורם באותה האלימות, בחרנו לעלות אותם אצלנו.

חשוב לנו להדגיש כי מקומות וירטואלים לעדויות על אונס ותקיפה מינית קיימים והיו קיימים הרבה לפני “הכצעקתה”: שוברות שתיקה, mybody ועדות. אם עברתן או עברתם תקיפה מינית, אונס, מעשה מגונה או משהו שאתן או אתם לא בטוחות ובטוחים לגביו, קווי הסיוע של מרכזי הסיוע לנפגעות ולנפגעי תקיפה מינית פתוחים עבורכן ועבורכם, 24 שעות ביממה: 1202 לנשים, 1203 לגברים.

יצאתי לדייט עם בחור חמוד שהכרתי בפסטיבל. ישבנו לדרינק, השיחה הייתה מרתקת ונעימה. יצאנו מהפאב והלכנו לחפש מקום לאכול. בדרך ראינו מגרש משחקים והחלטנו לשבת על הנדנדות, כמו בסרטים הקיטשיים האלה. היה כיף, המשכנו בשיחה והתחלתי לתהות מתי הוא כבר ינשק אותי, כבר כל כך רציתי שזה יקרה. אבל אז במקום זה הוא קם ונעמד מאחורי, אמר משהו על רייקי ונצמד אליי. הזין העומד שלו תקוע לי בגב. הפסקתי להקשיב, הפסקתי לדבר, רק המהמתי ואחרי אולי עשר שניות שהרגישו כמו שעתיים יצאתי מהקיפאון וניסיתי לזוז ממנו. לא יודעת למה אבל חשתי שאני צריכה להתנהג כאילו שום דבר מוזר לא קרה, אז עם חיוך קלוש מלמלתי שתכף הרכבת האחרונה וכדאי שאלך. הוא ליווה אותי לרכבת ופתאום היה בינינו רק שקט, ולמרות הכל כשהגענו נתתי לו חיבוק פרידה והסתלקתי. לא יודעת למה זה ככה, שהרגשתי שאני חייבת לו חיבוק למרות מה שהוא עשה, כי אולי בכלל דמיינתי ובעצם כלום לא קרה, זה הכל בטעות והוא בכלל לא שם לב? אבל אני יודעת, בכל עצם בגופי אני יודעת שאלה תירוצים כי ברור שהוא הרגיש, ברור שהוא היה מודע, וברור שהוא ידע שהוא יהנה מהספק.

נשלח על-ידי א’

Published on 2012-05-16 08:33:35

Cait's story: I reported them to the police!

Today I was playing frisbee with my boyfriend at the beach. This man’s son had been stalking me in the water for about 25 minutes, but I had ignored it. When my boyfriend and I moved to play frisbee on the sand, I turned around and noticed a little girl holding a phone. Apparently, the father had sent his kids over to take photos of me without my knowledge. My boyfriend said something to him and the man said “It’s just a picture.” I felt so hurt and violated. I didn’t let my boyfriend handle the situation because I felt that I owed it to myself to take care of it. I reported them to the police. That was all I could do.

Published on 2012-05-16 07:01:29

Destiny's Story: "A guy waved at us"

I was walking toward Dyker Park with a friend and a guy waved at us–with his penis.

Published on 2012-05-15 21:20:08

Anonymous's Story: Assaulted on the train

I was walking on the train and some guy came behind me and sat down across from me.  He took his private part out and started masturbating.

Published on 2012-05-15 21:18:26

Mone'i's Story: Don't tell me what to do

There was a time my mom sent me to the check cashing place.  I didn’t want to go and had a grouchy face on my way there.  I walked past a bunch of older guys and they started talking to me, “Put a smile on your face.  You’re too pretty for that.”

Published on 2012-05-15 20:41:28