The NEW NORM

I honestly can’t believe this still goes on.The issue really came to light when in October, 2014, actress Shoshana Roberts walked around New York City while being filmed (secretly to all but her) by Rob Bliss. Roberts deliberately wore nothing provocative: jeans and a black crew-neck T-shirt.

During the ten-hour walk, Roberts faced more than 100 forms of harassment, involving catcalls and comments such as “beautiful” and “sexy.” Several men walked alongside her, one silently for five minutes. Roberts didn’t respond, prompting some men to react angrily. "You don't wanna talk? Because I'm ugly? We can't be friends, nothing? You don't speak?"

Roberts and Bliss were working in conjunction with Hollaback, a non-profit group aimed at ending street harassment. Hollaback noted, “Street harassment disproportionately impacts women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals and young people. Although the degree to which Shoshana gets harassed is shocking, the reality is that the harassment that people of color and LGBTQ individuals face is oftentimes more severe and more likely to escalate into violence.”

It’s not just in New York City. In 2015, the French released a report revealing that 100 percent of women surveyed in and around Paris said that while on public transit, they experienced harassment. In 2015 an Australian Institute report revealed that eighty-seven percent of women were verbally or physically attacked while walking down the street.

Hence, transit systems in India, Japan and Mexico, for example, have set aside women-only subway cars and buses. And in Mexico City, Cairo, Damanhur, New York City, Dubai and others, there are “pink taxis” driven exclusively by women, for women.

Think it’s not happening in Canada? With a nanosecond’s search, I found “translinkharassment.wordpress.com,” where women have posted their stories about harassment and “creepy” behaviour on Vancouver’s transit system.

In fact, many people in Canada can take my Respectful Workplace online course to find out exactly how many workplaces do not protect employees from harassment, discrimination and bullying in the workplace.

But the icing on the cake involves young men in the United States and Canada heckling journalists (as they are reporting live) with very vulgar, sexual and violent statements.

CityNews reporter Shauna Hunt was reporting live from a Toronto professional soccer game in May, 2015 when one fellow, amongst a group of guys, shouted a vulgar remark into her microphone. While still recording, Hunt turned her attention to the men. The fellow who spoke first took off, but his buddy Shawn Simoes stuck around to be filmed. Here’s what transpired on camera:

Shauna Hunt: When you talk into my microphone and say that into my camera to viewers at the station I work at it is disrespectful and…

Shawn Simoes: I don’t care; it’s fucking hilarious!

Shauna Hunt: Okay why is it so funny though? Why is this funny?

Shawn Simoes: It is fucking hilarious! We’re not the only people, it happened in England.

Shauna Hunt: Do you know that it’s old? It’s really not funny.

Shawn Simoes: It’s been like a year!

Shauna Hunt: It’s been longer than that.

Shawn Simoes: You’re lucky there’s not a fucking vibrator in here, like in England because it happened all the time. It’s fucking amazing and I respect it, all the time!

Shauna Hunt: If your mom saw you–

Shawn Simoes: Oh my mom would die laughing eventually!

Due to the wonders of the internet, the fellow’s name and workplace were revealed quickly. He was an engineer working for Hydro One, Canada’s largest hydro transmission company, and he had earned $106,510 the previous year.

The same day this story went viral, the chairman of Hydro One stated that Simoes would no longer be working there. Six months later, after Simoes apologized, Hydro One issued a terse statement indicating it had rehired Simoes. Since no details emerged, we don’t know if he lost pay, suffered penalties or discipline, or was rehired due to an arbitration process. Either way, he and many internet viewers potentially learned an important lesson.

Shoshana Roberts

Shauna Hunt

The OLD NORM

• thinks women are fair game when they are walking down the street or traveling on public transit.
• might actually think his comments are flattering to a woman, even if she’s a complete stranger.
• doesn’t give any thought to the notion that a woman might feel intimidated or threatened when strange men talk to her in public places.
• follows the “crowd” in making sexist or misogynistic comments to women in public. 

The NEW NORM

• would never make inappropriate comments to women on the street or on public transit.
• knows there are physical and psychological boundaries that need to be respected in public.
• is aware that a number of women feel intimidated even in their own neighbourhoods, so will do his best to make women feel more comfortable.
• has no interest in following the “crowd” with inappropriate comments to women in public. 

01

Don’t get caught up. Street heckling and harassment is very much a “guy thing,” something some men feel they must do, especially in a crowd of other men to show they are real men. If you’re part of a group that is doing anything inappropriate in public, shut it down. It can be as simple as, “Hey, knock it off. Would you want your sister to hear that?” (or daughter, or mother or wife) 

02

Recognize how and when to compliment. When in public, even if you feel an overwhelming desire to tell a strange woman how beautiful she is, and you are 100 percent sincere with no sinister motive, keep it to yourself. The worst that can happen is she misses out on what she may take as a compliment. The best that can happen is she doesn’t feel intimidated, threatened or worse.

03

Change your behaviour so women don’t have to. For example, if you are walking down a street at night and inadvertently catch up with a woman ahead, cross the street. It may mean you have to cross back for your destination, but most likely, it will give the woman a sense of relief. Ask a female friend for other examples to help other women.

“When I got up early this morning and headed for my computer here at home, I told myself, ‘Just skim read a few sections of Stephen’s book and get a note back to him.’ I couldn’t do that, Stephen. I read it all – every word. You have taken too long to write this book – Employees and Employers in Canada need to read this.

Stephen will capture your attention in highlighting up to date and interesting headlines which we all have an opportunity to learn from. If you believe you can simply skim read this book, think again! The mesmerizing case studies will leave you yearning to learn the conclusion as any great author should do for their readers. Sincere attention to the messages here can only result in best practices within Canadian workplaces.”

Melinda Heidsma

Executive Director, AiMHi, Prince George Association for Community Living