Street Harassment law being blocked

It should be noted that it is allegedly BJ who is blocking a law which could help to make women safer.

Unsurprising, AGAA4

As two of my family have had frightening encounters with men recently I am annoyed that this law is being blocked.

I started a thread a litte bit early about the same story. Nimco Ali is a personal friend of Johnson and his wife. I think that's why she was tying herself up in knots during the interview because she is conflicted and couldn't bring herself to name Johnson outright as the personal blocking progress on this. Nick Robinson said it for her.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-61511890

If it's all about crime, crime, crime, why would Johnson block progress? Because he heads a party where sexual misconduct is rife? Because he favours a Gilead-like state where women's rights and protection are nothing? Where is Truss in all this? She is Minister for Women and Equalities - a job she seems to forget she has.

I was surprised they want to make it illegal saying "smile, it may never happen" as in my experience its friendly.

Sorry OakDryad I didn't notice your thread. It was because I had a personal interest in this that I posted.
How long do women have to put up with men being allowed to get away with vile behaviour?

Miss Ali is the best friend of Carrie Johnson's, and apparently blamed Boris Johnson for blocking it:

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10836459/Carries-best-friend-points-finger-Boris-blocking-ban-wolf-whistling.html

Knittingnovice

I was surprised they want to make it illegal saying "smile, it may never happen" as in my experience its friendly.

Mine too.

Knittingnovice

I was surprised they want to make it illegal saying "smile, it may never happen" as in my experience its friendly.

This is not always friendly. I can be intrusive.

I only recall it happening once 48 years ago. I remember because I was working on Blackpool trams after my A-levels. holiday makers were always making comments like that to us clippies. We teased them too. All perfectly pleasantly and in daft holiday-maker mood.

It*

I'm sure it can be intrusive, AGA. Most things, even when they're harmless, can be if one's "not in the mood".

No worries about that AGA4. I'm just glad it's been highlighted.

Knittingnovice Why is is acceptable for a man to make a comment to a women about the arrangement of her face? Why must we walk along smiling all the time to make men happy? In my experience it is rude and intrusive.

A week after my husband died, I was trying to hold it together, minding my own business while doing some shopping when a man said 'smile it may never happen". I told him in no uncertain terms what had happened and told him to back off. Except I didn't say back.

I think you are missing the point about sexual harassment. If you are not affected by it all well and good.
My GD and her friends are often catcalled and have sexual comments made to them. They are only 16 year olds.
While some women tolerate these minor things men will take it further and think it's ok to say and do what they like.

That was meant for Baggs

I agree blatant sexual misbehaviour I wrong. But in my experience, talking about smiles has been friendly so I'm concerned about this part of the act. I was grateful a stranger noticed I was low, nobody else did.

Knittingnovice

I agree blatant sexual misbehaviour I wrong. But in my experience, talking about smiles has been friendly so I'm concerned about this part of the act. I was grateful a stranger noticed I was low, nobody else did.

There are some that are completely innocent and no offence intended. I am thinking of what had been said to 16 year olds eg "smile and show me your tits".
Totally inappropriate.

I don't think making "minor things" criminal is a good idea. Major things, such as actual harassment* and worse are already crimes.

*I've never felt harassed by a catcall. I think for something to be defined as harassment it needs to be sustained longer than a wolf whistle or a minor comment that anyone can say to anyone (such as the Smile comment). I don't think the Smile comment is intrinsically sexual.

AGAA4

Knittingnovice

I agree blatant sexual misbehaviour I wrong. But in my experience, talking about smiles has been friendly so I'm concerned about this part of the act. I was grateful a stranger noticed I was low, nobody else did.

There are some that are completely innocent and no offence intended. I am thinking of what had been said to 16 year olds eg "smile and show me your tits".
Totally inappropriate.

Agreed.

it is the sense of entitlement behind it.
they don't do it to other men.
a youth would not do it to a full-grown man.
why not? because they know they might get a fist back. but women are generally smaller, physically weaker, so might is right, and men can say do what they like.
well no. we don't hold that view re robbery or rape.
it's the same principle. do we live in a civilised society, with equal dignity for all, or not.
so everyone needs to uphold that.
and challenge when it is breached.

I remember getting catcalls when I was younger, much younger! I didn't feel threatened by them as they were fairly innocent.
I think these days they can be more blatantly sexual and could be intimidating.
My GD says she and her friends have this problem every time they go out and where most of these men would not take things further than that there could be one in their group who thinks this is ok for men to do and they can become even more intrusive.
I think it's up to men to stop this behaviour and pull up those who think it's ok to harass women.

I dont feel intimidated by cat calling I think those who do it are generally creepy quite tragic men. However it is about control because they do want you react in a certain way. If you say dont do that they invariably respond in a hostile way.

There has been an increase in men living in the UK from countries that do not respect women at all.

It may well be that has made street catcalls happening more.
When I was young and sttractive I hated being catcalled. I would start to shake and find even walking difficult so often I would turn back and go a different route if that was possible.
The men doing this do it because it makes women uncomfortable.
I hope that it is made an offence. I have 4 grandaughters and want them to be able to live in a safer country than we seem to have become recently.
I don't think the smile comment is harrassment though it is annoying.

welbeck

it is the sense of entitlement behind it.
they don't do it to other men.
a youth would not do it to a full-grown man.
why not? because they know they might get a fist back. but women are generally smaller, physically weaker, so might is right, and men can say do what they like.
well no. we don't hold that view re robbery or rape.
it's the same principle. do we live in a civilised society, with equal dignity for all, or not.
so everyone needs to uphold that.
and challenge when it is breached.

I so agree with this post from welbeck