1: Wolf whistles, hooting, etc.
2: Name calling, "Smile, baby," comments about appearance, etc.
3: Explicit language, continued comments, etc.
4: Following you down the street, blocking your way, etc.
5: Physical contact.
Remember, ALWAYS go with your gut. Take our responses with a grain of salt, and if you feel uncomfortable responding, you don't have to say anything. Also, you're the only person who knows how bad the situation is. Never respond to a cat call if you feel like you're in danger.
1. Don't: Address the harasser at all if you're in an isolated place. If you're in an enclosed space, such a subway car or elevator, or alone on a street, you shouldn't hand out a card or address a cat caller for risk of escalating the situation.
2. Do: Speak up. There is a big difference between verbal cat calling and breaking a physical boundary. That's a situation that warrants a more significant response. If a physical boundary is broken, you need to address it in a more confident way. But that doesn't mean you should fight back - in fact, getting physical should be a last resort. Use clear, concise phrases, like 'Stop. Don't touch me,' or 'Leave me alone,' while maintaining eye contact to get your point across.
3. Don't: Hesitate to call authorities. So often women don't want to call the police because they don't want to overreact, but any time you're feeling vulnerable you need to listen to your gut instincts.
4. Do: Make a scene. Try to move a populated area if someone is following you or trying to grope you, and draw attention to yourself by yelling specific words: 'I need help!' 'Attacker!' You can't go over the top if you feel threatened. The saying 'Better safe than sorry' really applies to this situation.
Don't objectify me.
Simply ignore them.
You must have me confused with someone you think you can talk to like this.
Don't be that guy. *roll eyes*
That is very rude.
What did you just say to me? *combined with expressions of shock and disgust*
Explain to me how you think that's appropriate in this situation.
Your language is objectifying and it's making me uncomfortable.
Just letting you know, when you say those things, it's not a compliment. It's actually a form of sexual harassment, WHICH IS ILLEGAL!
You're actually going to sexually harass me in front of all of these people?
THIS IS ILLEGAL! I AM GOING TO CALL THE COPS if you don't leave me alone.
This is degrading and belittling, not to mention the fact that you are objectifying me.
Put distance between you and the harasser.
Go to an open and populated area and ask for help.
LOUDLY call attention to the harasser's behavior.
Try saying, "Get your hands off of me right now, before I call the police!"
Try saying, "Someone please help me! This person is harassing me!"
Call the cops.
Alert as many people as possible to the situation. *BE VERY EXPLICIT ABOUT THE FACT THAT YOU ARE BEING SEXUALLY ASSAULTED.*
Find the nearest store or the nearest authorities.