In Australia, have you ever encountered some “odd” people near a train station or when walking past a park? They might look like homeless people loitering around, or be walking along muttering something you can’t quite make out, or…

Most people, in most situations, will simply steer clear and take a detour if they spot such a person from a distance, trying to avoid any contact whatsoever — not even eye contact. If I can’t afford to mess with them, surely I can afford to avoid them, right?

Women, Women from Minority Groups, Harassed in Public Places

However, survey data shows that many people simply cannot avoid it — particularly women, and especially women from minority groups.

Well-known market research firm Ipsos conducted a study on harassment of women in public places. Surveying 2,000 adults in Australia, it found that 78% of women surveyed reported experiencing harassment in public places, and among some minority groups, such as Indigenous people and people with disabilities, the figure reached 90%.

Such harassment typically starts with verbal abuse of a discriminatory nature, and in some cases escalates into physical assault or worse.

Should I Step In?

Whether you encounter it yourself or witness it happening to someone else, there is always a moment of hesitation: should I step in to help? Will anyone else step in?

Most respondents in the survey said that if someone were willing to step in and help while they were being harassed, their situation would improve substantially. However, fewer than 40% said they would be willing to step up if they witnessed this kind of behaviour.

Criminology experts say there are likely three main reasons for this.

Reason one: people nearby may see it happening but don’t immediately realise what is actually going on. Many harassment incidents happen in an instant or within a very short time frame, and in such subtle or ambiguous situations, bystanders cannot figure out what is happening.

Reason two: some people want to help but don’t know how. What about their own safety? They simply don’t know where to begin.

Reason three: some people don’t believe it is their responsibility to help, or when many people are present, everyone assumes someone else will step in rather than themselves.

New South Wales (NSW)

A$30 Million Investment to Improve Safety in Public Places

In June this year, NSW announced that its state budget would provide significant funding for women’s safety and for support services for survivors of sexual and family violence. This includes A$30 million allocated to improving lighting and CCTV systems in NSW parks and outdoor spaces, so that women feel safer in outdoor areas at night.

The state government will set up a working group made up of women of different age groups, who will be responsible for investigating and consulting on which parks and bushland need better lighting and CCTV to protect women. The NSW Treasurer said: “Even in our beautiful city, many women feel unsafe walking around at night. When they come home from work, they should not have to fear whatever might be lurking in the shadows.”

The A$30 million in funding will be rolled out over two years, with Parramatta Park and The Rocks identified as the first areas to be upgraded. Over the past 10 years, more than 80 sexual offences against women have occurred in the parks, bushland and gardens of the Parramatta area.

Victoria (VIC)

Launches an Instant Harassment Reporting Service

As mentioned above, some people who witness harassment want to help but don’t know what to do in the moment. In response, Victoria Police has launched a service called “STOPIT”. It is simple to use: to report harassment, you can text “STOPIT” from your mobile phone to the number 0499 455 455, and you will receive a reply from police containing a link. Once you click the link, you can immediately send relevant photos, videos or a written description to police.

You can also download the app in advance on your phone or make a report via their website.

This service is a joint initiative of Victoria Police and Victoria’s public transport authority, and is primarily used to report harassment or other dangerous behaviour occurring on public transport. For more information, see:

https://www.stopitsolutions.com/why-stopit

STOPIT automatically records the reporter’s phone number, along with the name the reporter provides (which does not have to be their real name) and other information. With the reporter’s consent, police will use this information for further investigation or crime prevention, etc.

Harassment, sexual harassment and dangerous behaviour in public places occur from time to time in Australia, but because these incidents tend to be highly random and covert, only a small number of people are willing to report or come forward. Even if the matter is later reported to police, there is often too little evidence to punish the offender at law. Therefore, the focus is on prevention by improving the external environment and on simplifying and speeding up the reporting and evidence-gathering process.

Many harassment incidents are not stopped or reported promptly at the outset, or do not yet constitute a crime, and may later escalate into more serious offences. As the experts put it: “If you don’t want to, or can’t, intervene directly, perhaps you can record what happens.”

When you are out and about, learn to protect yourself. Asking people nearby for help or calling the police is something you can do.