Catcalling is a problem that society has glossed over for centuries, and contrary to what too many people believe, it is not a compliment. It is in fact creepy and objectifying, and it perpetuates dangerous ideas which may escalate to more serious sexual harassment. First of all, catcalling is not consensual, making it a very intimidating and uncomfortable thing to experience whilst simply walking down the street. Many argue that it is only flirtation, but compliments shouldn’t make the recipient uncomfortable, or feel like they’re in danger. According to recent research, 99% of women in America say they’ve been a victim of street harassment, while 100% of women in France say they have been harassed on public transport at least once [1]. Most of the time this harassment is groups of people yelling sexually explicit/objectifying comments at others (usually men hollering at women). In addition to the discomfort catcalling causes people in the moment, it can also have a long-term impact on the recipient’s mental health, as explained by youth charity *Ditch the Label*: > These ‘compliments’ and unwanted attention that society told me I should be enjoying didn’t make me feel so good inside. In fact, it had a significant detrimental effect on my mental health, relationships with others and a sense of self-worth, just like the effects it’s having now for so many young girls around the world [2]. Self-worth is definitely affected by catcalling, due to the objectifying nature of it. People argue that catcalling is flattery, but there is a difference between flirting and harassment- and nobody really wants to be objectified, let alone by strangers whose ‘compliments’ are purely based on appearance. Even after the ‘compliment’ is given and the recipient shows disinterest and/or valid fear, they are usually ‘subject to being called ugly, or a bitch, whore, slut or whatever else rolls off the rejectee’s tongue amidst his unwarranted angst’ [3]. As well as impacting the individual, catcalling carries on outdated and harmful social ideas such as male dominance and even perpetuates rape culture, as some cases of catcalling and other street harassment escalate as they are often based on hoping that it will ‘lead to a sexual encounter’ [4]. The sexual basis of catcalling is rooted in the idea of the ‘male-gaze’- the construct that women dress the way they do to attract men. As Kelly Cazzetto states in her article: ‘The solution is not for women to cover up...it needs to become the norm to think of women as people and not an entitlement’ [5] -which is what catcalling is embedded in. Many people think that strongly opposing catcalling is ‘political correctness gone mad’, but it isn’t exactly difficult to *not* catcall people. Why should we ignore sexist verbal harassment when it’s only going to perpetuate outdated patriarchal ideas? Carrying on the normalisation of street harassment is damaging, but confronting instances of it such as catcalling ‘is the important first step towards tackling all types of verbal and physical hate crimes against (usually) women’ [6]. [1 & 2] Ariel Julia Hairston in *Elite Daily*, March 5, 2016 [https://www.elitedaily.com/women/catcalling-men-problem/1397705] [3] *Ditch the Label*, March 8, 2017 [https://www.ditchthelabel.org/a-females-perspective-on-catcalling/] [4 & 5] Kelly Cazzetto in *Her Campus* April 16, 2018 [https://www.hercampus.com/school/kutztown/catcalling-not-compliment] [6] *Catcalling: is it Really That Bad?*, n.d. [https://unapologeticacademic.com/2018/10/03/catcalling-is-it-really-that-bad/]

**TL;DR Any form of non consensual taunting - the function of catcalling - is harassment** There is little ground to dispute the fact that catcalling constitutes harassment, so much so that it is now often referred to instead as 'street harassment'. Catcalling is unwanted, causing the victims ([of which almost 90% of those in the UK are female](https://www.stylist.co.uk/news/women-safety-at-night/494341)) to feel more vulnerable to sexual violence. There are many reasons why catcalling is a form of harassment: • [Catcalling is not a compliment](https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/young-reporter/19272179.catcalling-not-compliment/), rather it is an act deeply entrenched in a culture of misogyny • Street harassment emboldens abusers to act violently and perpetuates sexual violence, like [the rape and murder of Sarah Everard](https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/impact-sarah-everard-murder-wayne-couzens/) • Women do not feel safe alone, to the point where [men need to be instructed on how to make them feel more at ease](https://www.stylist.co.uk/life/walk-like-a-woman-campaign-tips-for-men-make-women-feel-safe-street/252236) • Many women cite their first incidents of being [victim to catcallers as when they were still minors, including when they were in school uniforms](https://www.elle.com/culture/career-politics/news/a28608/young-women-catcalling-problem/), normalising a culture in which girls are sexualised and abused • [Girls are forced to understand the ramifications of sexual harassment at a very young age](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-56361419), whereas boys' education on why catcalling is wrong is continually lacking Catcalling is unacceptable, and allows men to feel a sense of power over women. Women cannot be made to feel vulnerable, and have every right to walk free from harassment - which is _exactly_ what catcalling is.

I don't think the act of whistling can be described as harassment. I understand that women don't want to hear it, that's why I wouldn't do it, but just because you don't want to hear something doesn't make it a crime for someone to do it. In the same way as someone expressing an opinion you don't agree with, simply trying to censor them is a terrible way to go about it. Just because you don't like or agree with something doesn't mean that someone shouldn't be able to say it. Ricky Gervais put it quite perfectly: "How arrogant do you have to be to think that you deserve to go through life with no one ever saying anything that you don't agree with or like?", and I believe this is something that falls under a similar umbrella: just because you don't like it doesn't mean it can't be done.

Catcalling constitutes harassment because it involves unsolicited and often lewd comments directed at individuals, typically women, in public spaces. This behavior creates an environment of intimidation and discomfort, undermining the individual's sense of safety and respect. Studies have shown that catcalling can have serious psychological impacts, including anxiety and a diminished sense of personal security. The United Nations has recognized street harassment as a form of gender-based violence, emphasizing its detrimental effects on victims. Furthermore, legal frameworks in many countries classify such behavior as harassment, supporting the view that catcalling is an unacceptable and harmful act.