What to do if you see sexual harassment on the street

Some of you may have seen or witnessed the mode of sexual harassment on the street or in other public places. Flirtatious looks, indecent "compliments", whistles, lewd jokes, sensual touches directed at other people. Such treatment includes sexual harassment.

Unfortunately, not everyone has the courage to help the victims. Most people admit that they are hesitant to help victims so they just keep quiet without doing anything. In fact, victims of sexual harassment need our help to get out of the threatening situation they feel. So, what should you do if you see sexual harassment on the street?

What is sexual harassment?

According to Komnas Perempuan, sexual harassment is sexual behavior that is insulting, humiliating, offensive, coercive, inappropriate and unwanted - whether in the form of physical or non-physical contact, which leads to intimate body parts or a person's sexuality without that person's consent.

This may include whistling, sexual comments or remarks, gazing with passion, displaying pornographic material and sexual desires, poking or touching body parts, gestures or gestures of a sexual nature, rubbing or exposing one's genitals, attempted rape, and so forth

This indecent behavior results in the target person feeling uncomfortable, helpless, offended, feeling deprived of self-respect and dignity, and possibly causing personal health and safety problems.

Sexual harassment is a criminal offense across gender, social status and age. This means that both women and men, young and old, rich and poor, all can equally become victims and perpetrators, regardless.

What to do if you see sexual harassment on the street?

Before you decide what your actions would be when witnessing street sexual harassment, the main thing and the first thing you have to do is pay attention to the situation around. See if the situation around the crime scene is safe. See, whether the perpetrator is acting alone or if there are many other people around him (group mode). Also pay attention to whether the perpetrator carries a sharp weapon. Don't let your good intentions backfire on yourself, victims, or others around you.

From here, you can decide what to do next. Also, make sure you have the courage and strength enough to help the victim. Choose one of the three options below. Is:

1. Directly reprimand the perpetrator

If you feel the situation and conditions are safe enough, don't hesitate to approach the perpetrator. Rebuke the perpetrator firmly and stop the action right away. Tell the perpetrator that the action he did was not right.

If the perpetrator ignores your verbal requests to stop, you can threaten to scream or call for help and even call the police if the perpetrator threatens back. However, if the situation is considered unsafe, the only way is to immediately seek help from people around the crime scene.

2. Divert attention

If you don't have the courage to go up and confront the perpetrator directly, you can stop the sexual harassment you encounter by distracting the victim and the perpetrator. Distract him by simply asking about the weather, the direction of the road, the name of the place the victim is addressing.

You can also pretend to be an old friend of the victim and greet him casually, to distract the offender (as well as an indirect way for the victim to know you want to help him). If necessary, position your body between the perpetrator and the victim, then immediately invite the victim to leave the scene.

3. Record all details

If you are hesitant to confront the offender head on, document the incident using your cell phone or write it down in a book / paper - write down any details you remember about the situation leading up to and during the action including this, including the physical characteristics of the offender. This documentation is very useful as evidence to report it to the authorities.

It is important to secure the victim immediately

Whichever of the above actions you choose to help the victim, the next most important thing is to take her to a safer place, away from the perpetrator. Do not leave him alone until he is calm, and if available, give him something to drink. If the victim bursts into tears, hug or hug her so she feels calmer, saying that the danger is over.

After the victim feels calmer, slowly talk to him. Silence your curiosity and do not delve further about what happened to him. Just make sure that the victim's condition is stable and okay. After that, offer to contact someone she can trust, or if possible accompany her to her home to make sure the victim can return home safely.

When to report to the police when witnessing street sexual harassment?

Call the police immediately (110) if:

• The victim was seriously injured
• You and the victim both feel or see signs of danger from the perpetrator. Reporting the crime will help you and the victim regain a sense of strength and self-control.
• The victim is unconscious.

Other emergency hotlines you can call:

• Emergency Services: 119
• Ambulance: 118

If you suspect a family member, closest relative, or someone around you has experienced sexual violence in any form, it is strongly recommended to contact police emergency number 110 ; KPAI (Indonesian Child Protection Commission) at (021) 319-015-56; Komnas Perempuan at (021) 390-3963; ATTITUDE (Action Solidarity for Victims of Violence against Children and Women) at (021) 319-069-33; LBH APIK at (021) 877-972-89; or contact Integrated Crisis Center - RSCM at (021) 361-2261.