Lexi Webster
In Australia, there has been some debate over whether wolf whistling should be considered a form of sexual harassment or a harmless compliment. While some women may find it flattering, others may perceive it as objectification or street harassment. In 2019, Greens Senator Larissa Waters proposed a plan to make catcalling, including wolf whistling, illegal in Australia, with on-the-spot fines of up to $6,600 for offenders. This proposal aimed to address street harassment and empower women to feel safer in public spaces. However, a study by Dr. Lorraine Sheridan from Curtin University's School of Psychology found that Australian women were less likely to find wolf whistling unacceptable compared to women in other countries. They attributed this to cultural differences and a higher acceptance of casual sexual propositions in Australian culture. As of 2023, wolf whistling is not explicitly illegal in Australia, but the discussion around it highlights the ongoing conversation about what constitutes acceptable behaviour and consent in a society striving for gender equality.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wolf-whistling in Australia | Not illegal |
| Attempts to criminalize wolf-whistling | 2019 |
| Fines proposed for wolf-whistling | Up to $6,600 |
| Women's perception of wolf-whistling | Some find it wonderful, some find it offensive |
| Perception of wolf-whistling in other countries | Less acceptable than in Australia |
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What You'll Learn
Wolf-whistling in Australia is not illegal
The topic of wolf-whistling and catcalling is highly debated, with some arguing that it is a form of expression and public display of appreciation, while others find it offensive and objectifying. Some women may even enjoy being whistled at and see it as a confidence boost. However, the key distinction is consent and respect for boundaries.
The concept of wolf-whistling and catcalling is deeply rooted in societal norms and expectations surrounding masculinity and courtship. Men who engage in these actions often do so with the intention of displaying their masculinity, initiating a form of courtship, or expressing their appreciation for a woman's appearance.
While wolf-whistling may not be illegal, it is essential to consider the context, the impact on the recipient, and the power dynamics at play. Some women may feel uncomfortable, objectified, or even unsafe when receiving unwanted attention. It is crucial to respect personal boundaries and consent, and individuals should be mindful of their actions and the potential impact they may have on others.
Additionally, it is worth noting that while wolf-whistling may not be illegal in Australia, other countries have taken steps to criminalize street harassment. For example, France passed a law in 2018 against verbal sexual harassment, and countries like Belgium, Portugal, and the Netherlands have also introduced similar legislation. These laws recognize the negative impact of street harassment on individuals and aim to create safer public spaces for everyone.
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Some Australian women don't find wolf-whistling offensive
In Australia, there was a push to make wolf-whistling and catcalling a crime back in 2019. However, according to a study on attitudes about sexual harassment, most Australian women don't find wolf-whistling offensive. Only 25% of Australian women thought wolf-whistling was inappropriate, compared to 98% of Egyptian women. Dr Sheridan commented that "the majority of Australian women have no problem with wolf whistling at all. Not saying that they like it, just that they don’t find it offensive". She also said that as long as men were willing to take no for an answer, women in Australia were more willing to accept wolf-whistling. Sheridan suggested that this may be related to the fact that Australian women are not judged for this behaviour, whereas women from other cultures could be. She also pointed out that women in Australia have more freedom, earn more, and have more independence than women in some other countries.
Some Australian women are even reported to find wolf-whistling 'wonderful'. One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts thoughtfully pointed out that although some people might consider a wolf-whistle "sexual harassment", "some girls" quite enjoy being whistled at, and have even been known to smile in response.
However, some people argue that wolf-whistling should be considered a form of harassment. Everyday Sexism author Laura Bates states that catcalls are “a reminder that a woman’s role in public is to be judged and commented on by men”. She also suggests that tolerating minor sexist incidents sets up a power imbalance, leading to normalised attitudes and behaviours towards women that make some of the more serious abuses seem more socially acceptable.
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Some women in Australia enjoy wolf-whistling
While wolf-whistling at women is often considered offensive and has been the subject of proposed legislation in Australia, some women in the country enjoy it. A 2018 study by Curtin University's School of Psychology found that Australian women were less likely to find wolf-whistling unacceptable compared to women in other countries. The study's lead author, Dr. Lorraine Sheridan, noted that Australian women were more willing to accept behaviours such as wolf-whistling as long as men were willing to take "no" for an answer. She suggested that this was due to Australian women being more relaxed about casual sexual propositions and general courtship attempts.
Dr. Sheridan's research, conducted in collaboration with Edith Cowan University, revealed cultural differences in what women found acceptable. Countries with greater gender inequality and higher incidence rates of sexually transmitted infections showed a higher acceptance of controlling behaviours in relationships. Australian women, in contrast, exhibited greater autonomy and comfort with casual sexual conversations, drawing a clear line between sexual harassment and harmless flirting.
One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts and Senator Larissa Waters have opposing views on the matter. Senator Roberts believes that some women quite enjoy being whistled at and may even smile in response, while Senator Waters proposed legislation in 2019 to criminalize wolf-whistling and catcalling, with on-the-spot fines of up to $6,600 for street harassment.
The debate around wolf-whistling and catcalling in Australia highlights the complexity of modern masculinity and the need to establish clear boundaries. While some women may not find wolf-whistling offensive, others strongly oppose it as a form of sexual harassment. Ultimately, the key to navigating these interactions lies in respecting consent and ensuring that women's preferences and boundaries are acknowledged and accepted.
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There was a push to make wolf-whistling illegal in 2019
In 2019, there was a push to make wolf-whistling and catcalling illegal in Australia. Queensland Greens Senator Larissa Waters proposed the country model its laws on those in France, which passed a law against verbal sexual harassment in 2018. The French legislation forbids many forms of sexual harassment and allows for on-the-spot fines of up to $6,600 for street harassment.
Senator Waters' proposal was part of a broader effort to address street harassment and improve the safety of women and girls in public spaces. The push for new laws in Australia followed similar moves in several other countries. For example, Belgium criminalized street harassment in 2014, Portugal made verbal abuse illegal in 2015, and the Netherlands followed suit in 2017. New Zealand has had anti-street harassment legislation in place since the early 1980s.
The proposal to make wolf-whistling illegal in Australia sparked debates about what constitutes acceptable behavior. Some people argued that wolf-whistling and catcalling are forms of sexual harassment and should be prohibited. Others, like One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts, suggested that some women enjoy being whistled at and that it can be seen as a form of appreciation or courtship. A 2018 study by Dr. Lorraine Sheridan of Curtin University's School of Psychology found that Australian women were less likely than women in other countries to find wolf-whistling unacceptable. Dr. Sheridan attributed this to cultural differences and Australia's relatively lower levels of gender inequality.
While there was a push to make wolf-whistling illegal in Australia in 2019, it is unclear from the available sources whether these efforts led to any concrete legislative changes. As of 2021, the UK was also considering potential new laws to make wolf-whistling a criminal offense as part of its Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy.
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Wolf-whistling is considered street harassment in some countries
The UK is also considering similar legislation, with Home Secretary Priti Patel indicating that street harassment, including wolf-whistling, could become a specific crime as part of plans to better protect women and girls. This follows the tragic murder of Sarah Everard, which brought the issue of violence against women into sharp focus. The UK government has pledged to increase support for victims, reverse declines in conviction rates, and reduce attacks.
In contrast, a study by Curtin University's School of Psychology found that Australian women are more accepting of wolf-whistling than women in other countries. Lead author Lorraine Sheridan noted that while women agreed that extreme behaviors such as forced sexual contact were unacceptable, there were vast differences in the 'grey areas' of less explicit actions. Dr. Sheridan attributed this to cultural differences, suggesting that women in countries with greater gender inequality may be more accepting of controlling behaviors due to factors such as protection from disease.
While opinions on wolf-whistling vary, it is essential to respect the boundaries and comfort levels of individuals. Some women may appreciate a wolf-whistle, while others may find it offensive and harassing. As such, it is crucial to be mindful and respectful of people's personal space and consent.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is not currently illegal to wolf whistle in Australia. However, in 2019, Greens Senator Larissa Waters proposed a plan to model Australia's laws on those in France, which forbids many forms of sexual harassment and includes on-the-spot fines of up to $6,600 for street harassment.
There are mixed opinions about wolf whistling in Australia. Some people, including One Nation Senator Malcolm Roberts, believe that some women enjoy being whistled at and consider it a form of appreciation. On the other hand, many others find it offensive and consider it a form of sexual harassment. A study by Dr. Lorraine Sheridan from Curtin University's School of Psychology found that Australian women were more accepting of wolf whistling compared to women in other countries, but they still preferred respectful forms of courtship and general attempts at getting to know them.
Yes, several countries have implemented laws to address wolf whistling and street harassment. France passed a law against verbal sexual harassment in 2018, Belgium made street harassment a crime in 2014, Portugal made verbal abuse illegal in 2015, and the Netherlands followed suit in 2017. Additionally, street harassment has been illegal in Peru since 2015 and in the Philippines since 2016. New Zealand has had anti-street harassment legislation in place since the early 1980s. While wolf whistling may not be explicitly illegal in all countries, it can fall under public sexual harassment laws, as seen in Canada.
