Safe spaces for everyone—that is our mission. Everyone has the right to feel safe on the streets, in cafés, universities, and parks. Here, you can find all the information you need about reporting street harassment.
INFO
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Street harassment is a problem that occurs worldwide. Anyone can experience this. Unfortunately, women, girls and the LGBTIQ+ community are regularly intimidated on the street. For example, they are called names, hear sexually explicit comments or are chased on the street. Street harassment is not just limited to the streets and nightlife. Shopping centers, supermarkets and other public places are also part of street harassment. For example, you may be stared at during a walk in the park, or hear an inappropriate comment while cycling. From July 1, 2024, sexual street harassment will be punishable nationwide. The new Sexual Offenses Act should better protect victims of sexual harassment. This confirms that street harassment is not normal
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Non-verbal examples of street harassment include: whistling, making noises, being followed by a vehicle, being waited for outside a bar or club, being followed while walking, someone walking alongside you without your consent, and being obviously stared at (body scans).
Verbal examples of street harassment are: being insulted or verbally abused (after rejecting someone), being belittled with terms like “little lady,” being offered money for sexual acts, and receiving persistent comments such as, “Can I have your number?”; “I’m more fun than your boyfriend”; “Where are you going?” “Can I come with you?”; “Don’t you miss a dick?”; and “Do you want to have a threesome?” (especially when directed at a lesbian or bisexual woman or couple).
Physical examples of street harassment include: being touched without consent, such as being pinched on the butt, being pushed against a wall, or being pulled into an alley by someone. Be aware that these examples often come close to assault, so always report such incidents to the police.
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Reports can be made anonymously. You have the choice whether or not to add your personal information while filling in the form. If you do provide your details, we can send you extra info about street harassment and might check in to see how you’re doing or offer support.
If you’d rather stay anonymous, the details you give us will not be linked back to you in any way. Regardless of whether you decide to share your information or not, we will always handle your data confidentially. You can read more about this in our privacy policy.
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Reporting street harassment helps the city better understand where, when, and how often these incidents happen. Whether the incident happened three years ago or just yesterday, it is always valuable to share.
By sharing your experience, you contribute to gathering crucial information that enables the municipality of Breda to take action and improve safety measures. The municipality is very committed and works closely with us to analyse reports and implement changes each quarter.
Together, we’ve already identified several street harassment hotspots in Breda, allowing for additional law enforcement in those areas. The number of reports from Valkenberg Park was one of the key factors in extending camera surveillance in the park. We are also collaborating with important stakeholders, including the Dutch Railways (NS), to improve safety at and around the station.
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Our platform is open to anyone who has experienced or witnessed sexual harassment in public spaces. Bystanders can also report incidents. Reports can be made in both Dutch and English, whether you’re a victim or simply a witness.
We strive for a city where everyone can walk the streets feeling safe and comfortable. Whether you’re wearing a skirt or holding hands with your partner, it shouldn’t make a difference.
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Experiencing sexual harassment or sexual violence is incredibly difficult. Please know that you are not alone, and there is support available to help you process this.
The team behind www.intimideermijniet.nl consists of various people who have experienced street harassment themselves. Together with the municipality of Breda, they’ve created this reporting platform to offer support. If you provide your contact details, we’ll check in with you to offer a listening ear and figure out what kind of support you need together. If you’re in need of more or intensive support, we can connect you to the right partners, such as:
- Slachtofferhulp (Victim Support): call 0900-0101 (Monday to Friday between 08:00 and 20:00, and Saturday between 10:00 and 17:00).
- Centrum Seksueel Geweld (Center for Sexual Violence) is there for anyone who has recently experienced sexual violence. They are available 24/7 by phone (0800-0188) or you can chat with them through their website. Tip: Save the CSG phone number in your phone so you can contact them anytime for yourself or others.
- Veilig Thuis (Safe Home): call 0800-2000 (available 24 hours a day) for advice and support related to (sexual) violence at home. You can reach out on your own behalf or if you’re worried about someone else’s safety. You can also chat with them on their website between 09:00 and 22:00.
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As of July 1, 2024, sexual street harassment is a criminal offence in the Netherlands under the new Sexual Offenses Act. This should provide better protection for victims of sexual harassment, reinforcing that this behaviour is unacceptable. We strongly recommend reporting incidents to the police. If the harassment has just occurred, the perpetrator is nearby or you feel in danger, call 112. If you do not need immediate police intervention, but would like to report an incident, you can call 0900-8844.
The police are here to support you if you’ve experienced harassment or discrimination. If you’re unsure whether your experience qualifies as street harassment, physical violence, assault, or rape, don’t hesitate to file a report or include it in your statement. We will then reach out to provide further assistance.
If you know the perpetrator or have information about the person involved, report this to the police, regardless of the type of street harassment. This allows for more effective action, such as adding a note to their record. Dealing with such incidents can be incredibly distressing. Remember that you are not alone and there is support available to help you cope. Read more about this under “Who Can I Talk To?”.
Police Breda: Call 0900-8844 or WhatsApp 06 – 12 20 70 06 – Chasséveld 3, 4811 DH Breda.
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This platform was created by BO Diversity in collaboration with the municipality of Breda.
BO Diversity is committed to building an inclusive society with a focus on gender equality, public safety, and LGBTQ+ inclusion. Want to learn more about their work? Visit their website here.
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Similar reporting platforms exist in cities like Rotterdam, Almere, and Arnhem. BO Diversity aims to expand the platform to even more cities, as street harassment is an issue everywhere. If you experience harassment outside of Breda, you can still report it here, and we’ll forward it to the appropriate municipality.
Municipalities interested in setting up a similar platform can email info@intimideermijniet.nl.
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We’d love to hear from you! You can reach us anytime by emailing info@intimideermijniet.nl.
Feel free to get in touch if:
– You want to to share your story to help raise awareness about street harassment
– You have questions about how the platform works
– You’d like to provide feedback or file a complaint about the platform
– You work for another municipality and are interested in implementing this platform -
Since the launch of “intimideermijniet” in 2021, we have closely followed privacy laws and regulations (such as the General Data Protection Regulation, GDPR). To keep your information secure, we’ve appointed a Data Protection Officer and implemented strict protocols, such as the Data Breach Protocol, the Data Processing Protocol, and annual Attack & Penetration testing. For more details, check out our privacy policy.