Collective Action for Safe Spaces is fighting street harassment in America’s capital by empowering Washingtonians to speak out against gender-based public sexual harassment and assault.
Mission & Values
Collective Action for Safe Spaces is grassroots organization that aims to empower the DC Metro area to build a community free from public sexual harassment and assault. We do this through online activism, public policy and advocacy, community workshops, and innovative direct services. Collective Action for Safe Spaces hopes to build a coalition of like-minded individuals, organizations, and businesses that are invested in making the public spaces of the DC metro area safe for women and LGBTQ individuals.
To uphold our mission, Collective Action for Safe Spaces values:
- Community-driven solutions, through thoughtful and strategic community organizing and building
- Utilizing technology to enhance engagement and empowerment models
- Developing innovative tools that all individuals, regardless of background or life experiences, can use when witnessing or being a victim to public sexual harassment and assault
- Working within the diverse and intersectionalities of our communities
- Volunteers and employees giving their time to this cause
Who We Are
In 2009 two concerned DC metro residents created Holla Back DC!, an online forum for individuals to submit their public sexual harassment and assault experiences as a way to raise awareness about the prevalence of the problem in DC. In April 2009, due to the popularity and community support, the founders decided to expand the efforts to offline activism, including workshops, policy & advocacy, and community outreach. With that, the name changed to Collective Action for Safe Spaces, as the community needed more collective community action to create safe spaces for all in the DC metro area.
Contact Us:
Email: info@collectiveactiondc.org
Twitter: @hollabackdc
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/HollaBackDC
Leave us a message: 202.556.4232
Hello, I think the HollabackDC blog is an enlightening, progressive and informative outlet detailing the awful gender based street harassment occurring daily throughout our nation’s capital. Our neighborhoods, city streets, store fronts, business areas, bars and restaurants, areas providing public transportation and so many others are wrought with people engaging in passive aggressive interactions which is bad enough, however these negative communications also often lead into more aggressive violence. Unwarranted words and come-ons for sexual solicitations are never appropriate. Physical actions that sometimes stem from these words are even worse. As a man, I’m very happy to see people becoming motivated and educated about what has unfortunately been “accepted” by society for far too long. It’s time we all take back our streets and take responsibility for the fact that we deserve to live in an enlightened world which holds each person accountable for soliciting an appropriate level of respect for one another.
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Hi – Keep up the good work!
I gave your site a plug at:
http://survivor-empathy.blogspot.com/2010/01/hollaback-dc.html
Tom
This site is a terrific idea; far too long women have had to handle harassment on their own or with the few people they shared it. I would suggest, however, that the words in the *About* section above [...without being the object of someone’s fantasy] are somewhat misleading. It would be more appropos to say that women should be able to go about their lives without being the object of someone’s ANGER. When men harass, they do not really expect a woman to say: “Ok, I’ll go have sex with you. Just give me a minute to finish my errands/school/job.” What they want is the power to make you jump, get uncomfortable, react. The fact that so many men who initially *seem* to be complimenting, soliciting, or trying to engage a woman, get enraged so quickly and change their line of patter to hostility on a dime, is evidence. They’re not fantasizing, they’re taking revenge.
Would be really cool if the “Location:” bits at the bottom of the posts linked to the location on Open StreetMap or Google Maps or something.
Thanks for the suggestion! We are currently working on improving our map and building a website and we will keep your suggestion in mind.
this is the most absurd, uptight blog i’ve ever seen. in reading some of the posts here i haven’t seen much that has indicated true harassment. most is mild flirtation at best. you all need to get over yourselves.
Only reading a select few stories then making a judgment is the most absurd and uptight thing I’ve seen. There’s been more than “mild flirtation,” as you call it, reported here. Find something better to do with your time than put this blog down.
God, finally someone thought to do this!!! Santa Fe needs a chapter ASAP!
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I love the site – great idea.
I actually found the site while searching for a possible website that might feature actual pictures taken of the vermin that frequently prowl the DC METRO system harrassing innocent riders.
If you or anyone know of such a site, of if perhaps you would consider adding such a feature to this site, i woudl be most appreciative.
The best defense against these monsters are you CAMERA – if harrassers realize that you can photograph or video them and have it posted on POPULAR sites that others can recognize and take action – including the police – that is a SERIOUS deterrent. Becuz its evidence.
Interested in all thougths on this topic.
Thanks! We do accept pictures along with the submission. If you have a picture of a harasser you would like us to post, please email us at dchollaback@gmail.com.
Also, here is a great example of how photo’s have been used take action in DC and on our site: http://hollabackdc.wordpress.com/2010/05/28/upskirting-at-courthouse-metro/
What is wrong with you people?