Lyla Lindsey
Catcalling, a form of street harassment, is a prevalent issue in Australia. It involves unwanted verbal comments, gestures, stalking, and persistent gazing, creating an unsafe and intimidating environment for women. While some argue for making catcalling illegal to hold perpetrators accountable, others suggest non-criminal approaches to address this issue without over-policing marginalised groups. This topic has sparked discussions and petitions in Australia, with varying opinions and experiences shared by Australian women.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of Australian women who experience sexual harassment in their lifetime | 87% |
| Forms of sexual harassment | Catcalling, wolf-whistling, groping, stalking |
| Percentage of women who experience catcalling and wolf-whistling | 11% |
| Percentage of women who experience sexual remarks | 10% |
| Percentage of Victorians who have been harassed on the street | 86.7% |
| Countries where catcalling is illegal | France, Belgium, Portugal, New Zealand, Quezon City in the Philippines |
| Countries where some forms of street harassment are illegal | Amsterdam and Rotterdam in the Netherlands |
| Countries where street harassment is tolerated | Australia |
| Suggested alternatives to criminal law | Non-criminal legislation, cultural change, social change, structural change |
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What You'll Learn
Catcalling is a form of street harassment
Research suggests that catcalling is a form of gender-based harassment, with cross-cultural studies indicating that it is primarily targeted at women by men. This form of harassment has severe implications for the mental health of women, leaving many feeling afraid and immobilized. The prevalence of catcalling contributes to a culture in which violence against women is more likely to occur.
In Australia, catcalling is a significant issue, with 87% of Australian women experiencing sexual harassment in their lifetimes, including catcalling and wolf-whistling. This form of harassment has psychological and emotional impacts, leading to increased self-objectification and greater body shaming, which are linked to poor mental health and disorders such as disordered eating and depression.
Despite the prevalence and impact of catcalling in Australia, there is currently no federal legislation specifically outlawing this behavior. However, some have argued for the introduction of non-criminal legislation similar to Washington D.C.'s, which involves defining street harassment, collecting data, training staff, and engaging in community education without criminalizing perpetrators.
The absence of legal repercussions for catcalling perpetuates a culture of disrespect towards women and contributes to a climate where violence against them is more likely to be tolerated. Making catcalling illegal would send a clear message that men need to be accountable for their actions and shift the blame from victims to perpetrators.
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The prevalence of catcalling in Australia
Catcalling and street harassment are prevalent issues in Australia, with research indicating that they occur frequently and negatively impact the wellbeing of young women. While street harassment can happen to anyone, cross-cultural research suggests that it predominantly targets women and is perpetrated by men.
Recent estimates reveal that 84% of women first experience street harassment before the age of 17. Among Australian women, 87% experience sexual harassment in their lifetimes, encompassing catcalling, wolf-whistling, groping, and stalking. A 2017 study in metropolitan Melbourne found that women experienced objectification, including catcalls and wolf-whistles, on average more than once every two days.
The prevalence of catcalling is not limited to a specific age group. A survey of 1,000 Australian youth aged 15 to 24 revealed that 34% of teenage girls and young women had experienced sexual harassment in the past year, compared to 11% of males. Additionally, some women shared their experiences of catcalling as teenagers, noting that it occurred more frequently when they wore school uniforms.
The impact of catcalling extends beyond the momentary discomfort it causes. It creates an unsafe environment that can turn violent, with the potential for verbal harassment to escalate into sexual assault, rape, or even murder. The persistent nature of catcalling and the feeling of being objectified can negatively affect the mental health and wellbeing of those subjected to it.
While there have been calls to criminalize catcalling in Australia, others argue for non-criminal legislation similar to Washington D.C.'s approach, which focuses on data collection, staff training, and community education without criminalizing perpetrators.
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The psychological impact of catcalling
Catcalling is often dismissed as a minor issue or a harmless attempt at flirting. However, it is a form of emotional violence and street harassment that can have a profound and lasting psychological impact on women. It involves unsolicited remarks, gestures, or sounds directed at someone in public, often with sexual nuances, and can include whistling, honking, vulgar comments, and lewd gestures.
The psychological effects of catcalling can linger long after the incident, affecting a woman's sense of safety and self-worth. Women who have experienced catcalling often report feeling shame, anger, embarrassment, and vulnerability. These emotions can persist for hours or days, and the constant rumination over the incident can lead to feelings of self-doubt, anxiety, and criticism of one's body shape and appearance.
Catcalling undermines self-esteem and fosters an environment of fear and discomfort. It contributes to negative feelings and destructive self-perceptions, with long-term impacts on mental health, including increased feelings of guilt and shame about one's identity as a woman. It is correlated with a higher fear of rape and a perception of risk. The experience of being objectified can seriously impact a woman's confidence in her sexuality, leading to poor sexual health.
The impact of catcalling goes beyond the individual, altering women's participation in public life. Studies show that 80% of women reported changing their routines due to fear of harassment, and it enforces gender inequality by communicating that women's bodies are open to unsolicited comments. Catcalling perpetuates the idea that women are solely sexual objects, and this objectification can lead to poor mental health outcomes, including depressive symptoms and disordered eating.
Addressing catcalling requires a societal shift in attitudes towards personal boundaries and respect. It is essential to acknowledge the harm caused and foster a culture of consent and empathy to create safer public spaces for everyone.
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Criminalising catcalling may lead to over-policing
While catcalling is a form of street harassment that creates an unsafe environment for women, criminalising it may lead to over-policing. In Australia, 87% of women experience sexual harassment in their lifetimes, with catcalling and wolf-whistling being common occurrences. Despite this, there are concerns that criminalising catcalling could result in excessive police intervention and potential negative consequences for marginalised groups.
In 2025, Surrey Police in the UK faced backlash for deploying undercover officers posing as joggers to catch catcallers. While the operation resulted in 18 arrests for various offences, including sexual assault and theft, critics argued that police resources would be better spent tackling more serious crimes such as knife crime and theft. Free speech activists also condemned the crackdown, claiming that catcalling, while disapproved of, is not a criminal offence and does not warrant police attention.
Similar concerns have been raised in Australia, where there have been calls to make catcalling illegal. However, some argue that criminalisation may not be the most effective solution. Fileborn, for example, suggests that Australia could adopt Washington D.C.'s non-criminal legislation, which focuses on data collection, staff training, and community education without criminalising perpetrators. This approach aims to address street harassment without contributing to over-policing and the potential targeting of marginalised groups, including Indigenous men, people of colour, homeless men, and those with mental illnesses.
Additionally, criminalising catcalling may lead to challenges in prosecution, as it can be difficult to prove and may result in a high number of false allegations. The line between rude behaviour and criminal activity is a fine one, and the potential for over-policing and misuse of resources is a valid concern.
While catcalling is a serious issue that needs to be addressed, the potential negative consequences of criminalisation must be carefully considered. Over-policing and the targeting of marginalised groups could further exacerbate existing social issues and divert resources from other important areas of law enforcement. Therefore, alternative approaches, such as community education and social initiatives, may be more effective in combating catcalling and creating a safer environment for women.
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International laws against catcalling
Catcalling, or street harassment, is a global problem that is primarily targeted at women and perpetrated by men. While catcalling is not explicitly prohibited by law in all countries, some nations have implemented legislation to address this issue.
In the United States, for example, street harassment laws vary by state. While nearly every state has laws addressing street harassment, the types of harassment punishable and the associated penalties differ. In New York, street harassment can result in a $250 fine, while Minnesota and Wyoming have laws prohibiting verbal harassment, groping, and upskirt photos. The United States is also a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which mandates non-discrimination and the enforcement of equality between men and women.
Similarly, Spain has international and domestic obligations to combat sexism as a party to the 1979 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Additionally, Spain has enacted national legislation for 2022 that criminalizes street harassment.
Belgium has also taken a stand against catcalling, making it illegal since April 2014 following a documentary about street harassment that sparked a national conversation.
In the Philippines, Quezon City implemented an ordinance against street harassment in 2016, imposing fines and jail terms for offenders. This was followed by the Safe Spaces Act in 2019, which punishes misogynistic acts, sexist slurs, wolf-whistling, catcalling, intrusive gazing, cursing, and persistent sexual jokes.
While some countries are actively addressing catcalling through legislation, others are still working to initiate discussions about this issue. Grassroots movements, such as Ni Una Menos in Argentina, are also playing a crucial role in bringing international attention to street harassment.
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Frequently asked questions
No, catcalling is not illegal in Australia. However, there are petitions to make it illegal and some people argue that it should be.
Catcalling is a form of street harassment that involves unwanted verbal comments, gestures, stalking, and persistent gazing or leering.
A 2015 Australian Institute report found that 87% of Australian women experience sexual harassment in their lifetimes, which can include catcalling and wolf-whistling. Another study by ABC News Australia found that the 81 women studied experienced objectification approximately once every two days, with 11% of these experiences involving catcalls and wolf-whistles.
Those who argue that catcalling should be made illegal believe that it would send a message that men need to be accountable for their actions and stop blaming women. It would also help to address the psychological and emotional impacts that catcalling can have on victims, which include increased self-objectification, body shaming, and poor mental health.
Some people, like Dr Bianca Fileborn, believe that there are more effective responses than criminal law. She argues that introducing new laws is unlikely to achieve anything and may contribute to the over-policing of marginalized groups of men. Instead, she suggests that Australia adopt a non-criminal legislative approach similar to Washington D.C., which focuses on cultural, social, and structural change.
