Experiencing Sexual Harassment - It's Time For Change!
- Jade Kidd
- Feb 19, 2019
- 2 min read
When out in public as a woman, life is never easy. Cat-calling, whistling, inappropriate touching, and these are just a few examples from a very long list. People don’t care, as long as they have the upper hand – and more importantly, get what they want. But this long-running culture of mistreating, not just women, but anyone has gotten far worse in recent years.
I’ll tell you two stories. A few months ago, I was on public transport, and an individual came and sat next to me. So close, I could feel their breath on me. They then proceeded to show me naked pictures. Of themselves? I don’t know. But it was of someone. I was trapped in the seat next to them. I was scared – what were they going to do next if I hadn’t of pushed past and gotten off? In another incident, my friends and I were walking down a street, and a group of men started wolf-whistling, loudly so EVERYBODY could hear. Like they were proud.
Being an object is something, that especially women, know what it is like to feel. You are no longer a person within your own right. You are a plaything – something that can be felt and touched and told what to do. It’s not even just within the outside world. It is rife in homes, workplaces, open secrets within the industry. It's EVERYWHERE. It’s not just strangers. It could be your friend, work colleague, close family member, someone you have known and trusted for years. Anyone.
I first heard about the #MeToo and #TimesUp campaigns in late 2017/ early 2018 after the emergence of the allegations of sexual harassment and assault against Harvey Weinstein. Scores of brave actresses and models such as Rose McGowan, Gwyneth Paltrow and Cara Delevingne told the world their experiences. But that’s not the main point. The main point is that it took for notable individuals to come forward before campaigns like this came into existence? It’s almost like, all previous harassment and sexual assault cases were simply not acknowledged. Everyday individual’s experiences were not important. But they are now.
But I suppose, this just highlights the fact that if these individuals didn’t use their status and platform to speak out and raise awareness, the spotlight would never have even been on this issue. So I want, everybody, to help and support the #MeToo and #TimesUp campaigns. Expect change. Sign petitions. Conduct protects. Let society and industry know that sexism, all forms of harassment, sexual assault and rape ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE. Not towards anyone.
If you search on change.org, there are thousands of petitions to sign, calling for sexual harassment to end at universities, gigs, embassies, in schools and various other workplaces. This affects everyone. I will include the link to the website below – please take five minutes to sign and support much-needed change.
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