Words of Advice – Meet Jada

As someone constantly dealing with street harassment, Jada has some advice to teens about dealing with street harassment. At 14, getting catcalled is a regular occurence on her way home from school or to the corner store, and she’s already used to hearing from people that it is normal and acceptable. Well, she’s here to set them straight!

To whom it may concern,

          When you hear of street harassment what do you think of? Street harassment is a very usual thing that has to stop. Now let me ask you a question, have you ever gotten harassed on the streets before? Well I have. These events usually occur in the afternoon to midnight, those are the most dangerous times. They usually come to you with a rude manner and ask you rude things and if you tell them to stop they’ll call you rude inappropriate names. These things happen to girls mostly. The things that I, a teenage girl have experienced were things like guys calling me over or staring at me from behind and what I do is either keep walking or ignore it as if they’re not there. There are immature guys out there who will harass you and not care if you feel uncomfortable about it. They will constantly bother you until you leave.

          If I could give all of you teenage girls a word of advice about street harassment, it’s to not be scared of them. Just walk right past them and they won’t do anything about it. If they harass you, as in touching tell them to stop and if they don’t call someone for help maybe even the police. Also, be careful walking around alone around day time to midnight. Even if a guy harasses you on the streets don’t look back or give them any of your attention. The more attention you give the guy the more he’ll harass you. No matter what they say don’t let them bring you down with rude names.          

          Discussing this situation with boys, the main topic would be to stop the harassment. If you see a girl getting harassed by a group of boys or a boy in general you should tell them to stop, or at least defend the girl. Don’t take the influence of those silly boys who harass girls because they can get in trouble for that. For guys that are the ones who harass the girls, I don’t see why you guys do that. You’re not going to gain anything from it. The big message is to stop street harassment. You have no idea what it feels like for a girl getting harassed. Think before you act.

Sincerely,

Jada, 14

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