Verbal harassment invades our streets, institutions, parks, and much other public and private places. Verbal harassment is one form of sexual harassment. This harassment has almost become something of a given that girls are exposed to in our society. If you ask any girl you know if she’s ever been subjected to unwanted comments or rude looks on the street, the answer is seldom “no.” Although the victims of this form of harassment are mostly young girls, any individual is also exposed to it, regardless of gender or age.
It is a type of sexual violence that does not necessarily involve any physical contact. This happens through inappropriate comments and sexually suggestive words. [1] It infringes on the privacy or feelings of the individual and makes him feel uncomfortable, disrespected, violated, or just a body. [2]
Verbal harassment takes different forms, including:
1- Calls, whistling, screaming, whispering, or any kind of sexual suggestion.
2- Comments, such as making sexual remarks about the victim’s body, clothes, or way of walking. In addition to making jokes or sexual anecdotes.
3- Facial expressions. Making facial expressions of a sexual nature, such as winking or using the tongue.
4- Invitation to have sex, such as asking the victim to have sex or describing the sexual practice, or fantasizing about sexual practice.
5- Unwanted attention, the insistence on getting to know each other, socializing, or giving gifts accompanied by sexual suggestions.
6- Phone calls, making calls that carry sexual suggestions or threats.[2]
7- Inappropriate conversations of a sexual nature with children. [3]
There is no single place for this type of harassment to occur. We may see it in public or private places. We also see it in isolated as well as crowded places such as transportation, streets, markets, and schools. [2]
Harassment perpetrators may be groups or individuals of men or women. The harasser could be a complete stranger to the victim, a co-worker, or even a relative. [2]
Worst of all, if he is in a higher position than the victim, such as being a manager at work. This increases the victim’s sense of inability to respond to this abuse.
The harmful effect of verbal harassment on its victims, whether men or women of all ages, includes mental and emotional aspects. To overwhelm them with a feeling of discomfort or threat. If it occurs in the workplace, it may also interfere with the victims’ productivity and lead to job loss. This type of harassment may also be a precursor to other types of abuse, such as sexual assault. [3]
On the other hand, due to the prevalence of verbal harassment in the streets and the lack of awareness about it. It has become a regular part of girls’ everyday conversation. For example, one of the girls tells her friends about the looks and comments she got on the street. As a kind of brag about people liking her looks. Without knowing that what her society considers normal is not at all.
Girls need to know that verbal harassment is a form of sexual violence. This harassment may put her at risk of stalking or even rape. And that no one has the right to express an opinion about girls’ bodies or their clothes. Nor does the harasser have the right to decide what constitutes harassment and what does not. Harassers of this type often accuse victims of exaggerating things and may even hold the victim responsible.
The Uplifting Syrian Women initiative confirms its continued support for victims of verbal harassment. It is encouraged not to ignore this type of abuse. In addition to encouraging them to be strong to confront any kind of harassment and not to remain silent about their right to criminalize the harasser.
♀️ Uplifting Syrian Women Initiative aims at sustainable peace building in Syria through targeting women and providing them with free online courses, workshops, discussion sessions and trainings, with a view to achieving the goals of Gender Equality, Quality Education and Decent Work and Economic Growth, which all fall into the interest of society as a whole and serve the purpose of rebuilding it.
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References:
[1] Law Office of William M. Julien, P.A.
[2] Harass Map
[3] Manly Stewart