Introduction:

From day to day, there are various crimes happening in the country. For that reason, Philippines wasn’t
able to make it to the rank of the safest country in the world. Statista Research Department,2021 stated
that the Philippines has a quite high rate of crime violence and terrorism. In 2020, the country was on
the bottom five of the order and security index ranking across the Asia Pacific region. Street harassment
is one of the current issues that Filipino is facing today. It happens in any part of the country, and
anyone can be a victim. Street harassment also known as catcall is a form of sexual harassment that
consist of unwanted behavior (kidshelpphone.ca, 2018). Street harassment by definition is the
unwanted verbal, physical and/ or visual behavior perpetrated by strangers that usually happens in
public spaces than strictly “the street” such as in stores, restaurants, malls, markets, in all public spaces
the unwanted behavior can happen (Silva, 2021). This kind of harassment is often ignored because it
seems to become normal in the eyes and perspectives of some. The kidshelpphone.ca, 2018 stated that
harmful actions, behavior and comments are so common they appear to be acceptable in every life. In
addition, it is important to remember that anything that makes you feel unsafe, embarrassed, offended
or intimidated is never okay. According to the founder of Stop Street Harassment, Kearl, Holly, 2010, the
street harassment can range from physically harmless behavior, such as kissing noises, stares, and non-
sexually explicit comments. Whistleblowing is also included, Unwanted comments such as “Pogi, 150”,
“Psst!Sexy”, “Hi Miss”, demands like continuously asking for someone’s phone number, actions toward
someone without their consent. Street harassment is considered as a crime, in fact, in April 17, 2019,
President Rodrigo Duterte signed the public act 11313 of safe spaces also called as the Bawal Bastos
Law. It covers all forms of gender-based sexual harassment committed in public spaces, educational or
training institutions, workplace and online space. (Public-Private Partnership Center, 2022). violations of
the anti-street harassment law will be categorized as light, medium, severe. Light violations are
punishable by 1,000 to 3,000, eight hours of community service or six to thirty days in prison, depending
on the frequency of the offense, (first offense, second offense, third offense). Medium violations are
punishable by 3,000 to 5,000, eight hours of community service or eleven days to six months in person,
depending on the frequency of the offense. Severe violations are punishable by 4,000 to 10,000 or one
to six months in prison, also depending on the frequency of the offense. (David, 2019). Despite the law
that have been implemented, it cannot be denied that there is is still an event of street harassment
happening in our country. Over time, it seems that this issue is gradually becoming normal in our
society. That is why many of us are afraid to go out alone. If street harassment continues, it is possible
for the perpetrators to do worse than just catcalling. Hence, it is necessary to end this kind of
harassment in our country. By knowing the experiences of the victims and know what it feels like to
experience such harassment, it enables anyone to obtain insights into what it feels like to be a victim
and to know that the street harassment can affect different aspects of someone’s life.