For the first time in the Netherlands, a man has been convicted for sexually harassing a woman on the street. His behavior was assessed by the responsible judge as “humiliating, frightening and dishonourable”. Verbal sexual harassment – also known as catcalling – has been punishable in the Netherlands since July 1.
This can probably be seen as a judgment sensation and a success for all women. In the Netherlands, a 33-year-old man has been convicted for the first time for sexually harassing a woman on the street. The sentence was mild, but still: the man was sentenced to a fine of 280 euros, of which 180 euros was conditional and is therefore considered a convicted criminal.
Catcalling is a criminal offense in the Netherlands
The judge deemed the act “humiliating, frightening and dishonorable” – sexual harassment, also known as “catcalling” in its verbal form, has been punishable in the Netherlands since July 1.
According to witness statements, the man sexually harassed a young woman in the center of Rotterdam in August – first with comments and shouting, then he ran after her and even held her by the hips. Law enforcement officers noticed this and also saw the woman trying to fight off the man. The man denied the crime in court.
The law is currently under investigation
A one-year pilot project is currently underway in Rotterdam to evaluate the enforceability of the new law against sexual harassment in public spaces. As part of this initiative, specially trained police officers in plain clothes are deployed on the city streets.
These officers have the authority to take immediate action and arrest individuals who engage in the following behaviors: verbal harassment, sexual harassment, obscene whistling or hissing, and threatening gestures with sexual overtones.
The main purpose of this measure is to test the practical feasibility and effectiveness of the new law under real conditions. Research needs to be done on various aspects such as the frequency of incidents, the response time of the officers and the preservation of evidence to document these types of incidents. In addition, the general acceptance of this measure among the population must be documented.
Every third woman in Austria is affected
Sexual harassment is also a widespread problem in Austria. According to figures, every third woman (since the age of 15) is affected by physical and/or sexual violence within or outside intimate relationships – according to statistics, this is almost 35 percent of women. the female population. One in four women experience sexual harassment at work (26.59 percent). One in five women experiences stalking (21.88 percent).
Experts in Austria have long criticized the inadequate political measures in the fight against sexual harassment of women. In particular, the large number of unreported incidents against women should be mentioned. The Netherlands aims to more effectively tackle the widespread problem of ‘statement-on-statement’ situations of sexual harassment. In such cases there are often lenient verdicts or acquittals due to lack of evidence.
The responsible judge who handed down the ‘catcalling’ verdict also believes that such sexual harassment creates insecurity and restricts freedom of movement. And: “People avoid certain places or dress differently.” Laws similar to those in the Netherlands are not yet planned in this country.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
