In a trial for Disorderly Conduct – Abusive Language or Gestures, the prosecutor argued that the defendant’s statements rose to the level of “abusive language said in a manner likely to provoke physical retaliation.”  

The defendant made three statements to three different women walking in the street.  One of the statements was ”hey bitches, you want some of this?”. The judge asked how a single statement to a strange woman on the street would provoke her to retaliate against the defendant.  The government argued that the statement should not be considered in a vacuum.  Rather, the judge had to consider the culture of street harassment and the power of the word bitch (as used against a woman) when evaluating the provocative nature of that comment, and its likelihood to provoke a physical response.  

The judge acquitted the defendant. She found that while the language was abusive, it did not rise to the level mandated by the statute.

With all of these experiences with street harassment, we forget about the importance of caring for one’s self. Whether it be the physical and taking self-defense class to the metaphysical, thinking about our healing process is a necessity in finding a safe space in ourselves.

We have partnered with Luminous Warrior for International Anti-Street Harassment Week to bring you a two hour safe space to discuss street harassment and finding inner peace. It’ll take place on March 18 from 11-1 p.m. at the Luminous Warrior studios (near Metro Center).

Although it is a free event, gratuities are welcome (for studio space). Please RSVP here, and spread the word!

Let’s create some OM when walking/commuting/biking home.

DC, you ready for one week of activities for International Anti-Street Harassment Week?Download the flier, post up on every street corner, and let’s show DC we are ready to create safe spaces for everyone everywhere.

On the eve of International Women’s Day (ahem, yesterday), we met with Council Member Bowser and WMATA in two separate meetings. It was a day of follow-up meetings. We were interested to know if CM Bowser had heard back from WMATA. We were also curious as to what, if anything, WMATA was planning on doing to address our concerns about public sexual harassment and assault on the transit system.

CM Bowser expressed her commitment to push WMATA to do something, at minimum the public service awareness campaign and trainings. We talked to her about our concerns about the gap in law where in DC police (not true in MD/VA) have to see someone committing a misdemeanor to arrest them. This affects individuals who report indecent exposure, public masturbation, etc. Unless the cops see it, nothing can happen. Even if the person took a picture of the perpetrator in action. It’s essentially a free pass to perpetrators: Come to DC! Yikes. CM Bowser wants to address this issue and is figuring out ways to do so.

After that meeting, we had a lunch break. Thank goodness of the great weather yesterday that kept us company.

As we walked over the WMATA headquarters for our 2P meeting, we kept wondering outloud what WMATA would share with us. We were escorted to a conference room where some Senior level WMATA officials were sitting including Lynn Bowersox (Director of Communications), Dan Stessel (Chief Spokesperson), Regina Sullivan (Director of Government Relations), Michael Taborn (Chief of Transit Police), and others.

After an hour and half, we walked away with WMATA pledging to do a public service awareness campaign, launching as soon as April, technology upgrades to include a webportal for individuals to submit their experiences with harassment and assault, a newly dedicated email address on this issue (where people can upload pics/video), new trainings to ALL staff, and quarterly data reports on harassment and sex crimes.

Yeah, you read that correctly.

A PSA.

Data collection on harassment and sex crimes.

A dedicated email address and webportal (and specialized hashtag and possibly other techie things).

More & better trainings.

YEAH. yeah. yeAH!

You did it. Your tenacity to share stories of harassment and assault everywhere, including those that happen on the metro, is creating a culture of change in the nation’s 2nd largest transit system. That is big, really boombastic B.I.G.

Of course, our work isn’t done (this is not a Mission Accomplished moment). They have to launch it. It has to succeed. But, instead of being critical, let’s pause and celebrate this first step.

Have a glass of wine, bubbly water, beer or two in celebration of this on International Women’s Day.

In solidarity,

Chai, your humble servant.

P.S. Feel moved and want to get involved? Shoot us an email at info at collectiveactiondc.org.

March is HERE. Know what that means, right?

It’s Public Transit Awareness month!

Well, we’ve actually did some pre-celebrations with the testimony in front of DC City Council, followed by a round of media coverage of public sexual harassment and assault.

In the coming weeks and days, we will be sharing statistics, action items, and events commemorating this month.

Want to get involved? Fill out this handy dandy volunteer form.

P.S. “Getting home safely should not be a luxury.” That’s the motto of Right Rides, a program in NYC that provides free & safe rides to women and LGBTQ individuals. DC also  needs alternative transportation options. Let’s make Right Rides DC a reality. Donate and spread the gospel. We need to raise at least $10,000 by May 1.