Do we need laws against catcalling?

• Position: Debate

Being harassed on the streets is nothing new. But a couple of months ago, a group working to prevent street harassment filmed a young woman experiencing a constant stream of catcalls, whistles, and jeers as she walked around New York City. The video went viral and brought renewed attention to this old issue.

YES

As research for a book I wrote, I spent 18 months interviewing women in the San Francisco Bay Area about their experiences of being harassed in public. About two-thirds reported that they heard offensive and sexually suggestive comments every day as they walked down the street. All of the women I interviewed said they've changed their routes, behavior, method of transportation, or how they dress to try to avoid street harassment.

Catcalling is a huge problem, but police mostly ignore it. Why? Because there's no specific law against this type of behavior. We need to change that. I propose a law banning "uninvited harassing speech or actions" aimed at people in public places because of their sex or sexual orientation, with the intention of intimidating them.

Such a law would allow states and cities to recognize street harassment for what it is: physical and psychological intimidation that makes women feel unsafe.

Violators would get tickets that carry fines--like a speeding or parking ticket. With a law specifically against catcalling, women would be able to sue their harasses if the behavior continued. Even if it were rarely enforced, the symbolism of such a law would have powerful effects.

The First Amendment, which guarantees Americans' freedom of speech, is not a license to abuse people. The courts have upheld bans on hate speech and other forms of intimidation, such as cross-burning.

Domestic-violence laws aim to protect women from assault in their homes. Civil rights laws give women recourse against sexual harassment in the workplace. If the law can prohibit sexual harassment and violence in our homes and at work, why shouldn't the law protect women in the street? Shouldn't gender equality exist everywhere?

--LAURA BETH NIELSEN

Professor of Sociology, Northwestern University

NO

The shameful treatment of women in our culture takes many forms. Women are sometimes paid less for the same work. There are disparities in political representation. And too often, women face harassment as they simply walk down the street.

We need to be careful, however, about calling for laws that criminalize unwelcome verbalinteractions or prohibit...