But…It’s 1 in 3 Women
[TW: this entire article discusses sensitive issues of sexual assault, harassment, and mental health.]
One might find a late-night stroll to be peaceful. The world has gone to sleep and you find comfort in your own company. There is a stillness in the air that brings amenity and the slow, quiet breeze brushes against your shoulder. Unfortunately, there is a darkness that lurks in the night that instills fear in all women who dare to take such a late-night stroll. The serenity that lives in the night is taken away and instead serves as a daunting occurrence women try to avoid at all costs. Monsters lurk in the darkness trying to find their next victim, making women hyper-aware of their surroundings in order to protect themselves.
That is the unfortunate reality for all women. What seems like a short walk from the public parking garage to their apartment is actually an adrenaline-filled two minutes full of uncertainty and fear of the unknown—especially at night. For the most part, women who walk alone at night are more susceptible to attack, but it is not unprecedented to be violently approached in broad daylight. These kinds of attacks can be more subtle; they can be in the form of inappropriate touching, unwanted attention, catcalls, or making sexual comments towards a person—the list can go on.
What is sexual harassment?
According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment is a complicated concept to fully grasp, but it is important to be educated on the subject. One can sexually harass someone in a physical, verbal, or non-verbal manner. Sexual harassment can happen pretty much anywhere and there is a wide variety of acts a person can commit that are considered to be sexual harassment. However, it is possible to pinpoint if your behavior is considered harassment. A question one must ask themselves when interacting with another person is, “Am I making this person uncomfortable?” For the most part, you can tell if the person is uncomfortable by their behavior or if they express their discomfort. It is always best to ask the other person if they are uncomfortable with your behavior, even if you may think you know what they want.
People who have survived sexual harassment, especially women, may suffer physical, mental, or emotional concerns that can alter their way of life. It is all too common for survivors to experience a decrease in their self-confidence, a feeling of powerlessness, and trust issues. All of these internal emotions can transform into physical symptoms such as mental health issues, increased stress levels, sleep deprivation, and to an extreme case, the taking of one’s own life. Most victims of sexual harassment are women, therefore the majority of the victims experiencing these side effects are [women]. According to a research study conducted by the UN Women in the United Kingdom, 97% of women reported having experienced sexual harassment in a public space. That means the majority of these women are suffering from mental, physical, or emotional side effects of sexual harassment. Even though a huge majority of women have been sexually harassed in some way, their concerns are oftentimes not taken seriously.
“It’s not all men...”
This is a response a lot of women have received when talking about their experiences with sexual harassment. Of course, women are aware that not all men are predatory and sexually harass women. However, when a woman is walking home alone at night, she can never be certain if the man walking behind her has bad intentions. Not to mention, attackers have often been someone the victim already knew. This leads to generalizations that it is “all men” even though this is not literal. It is implied that not all men are dangerous; however, a certain percentage of them could be.
How you should respond…
When someone is talking about their experience with sexual harassment, it is important to be fully present in the conversation. Discussing such a heavy topic is not an easy thing to do. However, talking about one’s experience is crucial to combating sexual harassment and holding predators accountable. If someone decides to open up to you about their situation, here are some tips to keep in mind:
Be an active listener
Respect their boundaries
Remain as calm as possible
Give advice only if asked
Provide any resources they may need
“Don’t let someone make you feel inferior without your consent.”
To anyone who has been a victim of sexual harassment or assault, you are seen and you are loved. You deserve to be treated with respect. Don’t be afraid to speak up for yourself. There are people out there who care and will listen to your story. Utilize the different resources and reach out to those you love and trust. What you experienced is not okay and your response to what happened is valid. Just because someone treated you as if you aren’t worthy doesn’t make it true.
If you or someone you know is a survivor of sexual assault and looking for help, please refer to these resources:
TAMU HelpLine: (979) 845-2700
Texas A&M University Police Department: (979) 845-2345
Sexual Assault Hotline: (877) 995-5247
Written by Shaiza Gudda & Ashley Alvarado, Photography by Flora Patteson & August Nennmann, Media by Gabbie Ayala