Street Harassment in Manila—And Why It Should Be Reported

Written by Kiervy Bolano

Photo from filipinotimes.net

Street harassment (catcalling) is one of the common social issue that we are facing today. It is an unethical act where someone disrespects others either physically, emotionally or mentally by means of giving unwanted comments, unwanted gestures, whistling or shouting at someone who is passing by or being touched by a stranger in public places. Mostly, girls are the one who are experiencing this kind of act, but in catcallers point of view they are just being provoked as they are wearing clothes which are too revealing giving them the ideas that it is okay to do or make something nasty to the girls, or it is really just because they are appreciating someone's body or face by complimenting them, as they think it can make the girls mood better. But catcalling is a kind of harassment, as being praised and being catcalled are too different, catcalling is creepy and scary because it makes them uncomfortable especially if a girl is walking by herself and a stranger will suddenly give a comment about her body. In any forms of social media, finding and reading an article written by the victims of street harassment are easy where the victims tell their experiences, what they do, and how to avoid being catcalled or how to defend themselves once they encounter this kind of act.

According to Marjaleen Ramos (2018) from Manila Bulletin many Filipino woman experience street harassment from being catcalled, touched by a stranger and now the government make a step as they make an ordinance about catcalling in the city of Manila that will penalize all forms of sexual harassment in public places. It is a big help to everyone specially woman as they can report their experiences being catcalled because a lot of them are afraid to tell or report their stories as many will just accused them of overreacting and just blame them because of what they wear. An ordinance within that city will really help a lot to lessen the cases of street harassment and will help others to have a knowledge of what they can do if someone attempt to do this kind of unethical act to them. It is just a reminder to people that anything that makes them uncomfortable like street harassment is a case that needs attention.

Reference:

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/07/01/careful-now-catcalling-is-banned-in-manila/