Have you ever been cat-called or wolf-whistled? Writing Competition
More Competitions
This competition has ended.
There's been a lot of progress in the way of highlighting the issues some people face with inappropriate behaviour, thanks to the #MeToo movement.
Unfortunately, sexual harassment is still very common and affects a lot of young people in Australia.
That's why we want to know if you've experienced sexual harassment in your daily lives ("sexual harassment" meaning any form of unwelcome sexual behaviour that’s offensive, humiliating or intimidating).
How old were you? How did it make you feel and how did you react? Were they your peers or much older than you?
Share your story (whether it's 25 words or 250 words) and we may publish it in an article on the Student Edge site. (If you wish to remain anonymous, please let us know in your answer.)
The purpose of this is to share how young people are reacting to and dealing with sexual harassment, without publishing any identifying details. If you need further help or wish to report an assault, please contact 1800 RESPECT by either phoning 1800 737 732 or visiting 1800respect.org.au. You can also find additional resources at Reach Out.
Please note, there are no prizes being awarded for this but your input may help to highlight a disturbing issue among teenagers.
Header Image: iStock.com/martin-dm
This competition ends 11/01/2019 05:59AM
When my friends and I were in Year 10, just a meek 16 years old, we got cat-called for the first time. We were running for our train due to the fact that we had spent just that little bit too long trying to look 'older' through the various stolen makeup products we had collected between ourselves.
It was a passing whistle and some vulgar words as the car sped past us. Yet, it was our individual reactions to those few seconds that were the most intriguing.
My first friend, a classic blonde haired, blue eyed bombshell was immediately giggling with pride and looked down at her outfit - a few articles of clothing that looked out of place on a body of her age. She saw the whistle of 'appreciation' as a compliment - and it gave her a high of happiness the whole night. By 7pm the next day, it even featured in the caption of her new Instagram photo: 'When you get cat-called on the way to Crown 👌'.
My other friend wrinkled her nose but kept quiet. She tugged the crop top that we had encouraged her to wear down slightly, even though the cheap fabric almost simultaneously bounced back up. She didn't bring it up again until we were doing a drunk game of Truth or Truth in Year 11. She admitted that it had made her feel cheap. She wanted to talk about it with us, wanted to get those feelings off of her chest in a way to find solidarity within us, her friends. But instead, she plastered on a smile, since she felt like she didn't want to be the 'party pooper.'
Both reactions made me slightly angry. Sad. A swirling vortex of some other emotions. I'm still not sure what you can really classify as the 'right' reaction. Should we have scoffed and rolled our eyes? Yelled back at them to maybe ensure they didn't give these unwanted sounds of appreciation to other adolescent girls who might even be younger than us?
Or was it still partly because we were in a rush to grow up? We secretly WANTED to be adults already. We let our youth go too quickly.
And me? I'm just as confused as I am with the experience today. I didn't really know how to feel. But I know that those 'compliments' that sometimes get yelled in my direction don't add to my own value. I know who I am without the support from strangers on the street.