Street harassment is not an isolated incident, but a structural problem deeply rooted in our society. The numbers speak for themselves and show how widespread this issue is and how normalized this behavior has become.
A confronting image
Research by Plan International from 2023 reveals that no less than 83% of Dutch girls and young women aged 15 to 25have experienced unwanted sexual behavior in public spaces. For 63% of them, this has led to limiting their freedom of movement: they avoid public transport, sports clubs, or hobbies, and in extreme cases miss school or work. Additionally, the 2022 Prevalence Monitor on Domestic Violence and Sexual Transgressive Behavior shows that 17.8% of women and 7.5% of men have been victims of sexually transgressive behavior.
What makes this even more confronting is that sexual harassment often starts at a young age. Plan International’s (2023) research shows that girls and young women aged 12 to 27 are most likely to experience street harassment. Reports decrease after that age, not because the problem disappears, but because women develop strategies to avoid it more often, for example by spending less time in public spaces. The fact that harassment starts so early illustrates how deeply embedded and normalized sexually transgressive behavior is in our society. Girls have to start adapting in secondary school already: changing their clothes, avoiding certain routes, wearing earphones, staying alert. The public space is rarely neutral for them, let alone safe.
LGBTIQIA+ Community: hit twice as hard
LGBTIQIA+ people are often confronted with street harassment, especially when their sexual orientation or gender identity is visible. In Rotterdam, research showed that many LGBTIQIA+ individuals choose not to walk hand in hand or wear eye-catching clothing, out of fear of negative reactions such as verbal abuse, staring, or even physical violence. According to the 2023 Safety Monitor, 25% of LGBTIQIA+ individuals aged 15 and older were victims of ‘’traditional’’ crime, including violent offenses, within the past twelve months. Non-binary individuals are the most frequently targeted. The LGBTIQIA+ community is thus often doubly impacted when it comes to transgressive behavior.
The Role of Social Media in Street Harassment
Social media play a significant role in how young people perceive gender roles and sexual behavior. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat are major sources of social pressure and sexist norms. Research by Plan International (2023) shows that 58% of young women aged 15 to 25 in the Netherlands experience online sexual harassment. This digital intimidation has offline consequences: young people internalize certain beliefs, which contributes to the normalization of sexually transgressive behavior in public. Influential figures like Andrew Tate reinforce this. His sexist statements contribute to a culture where women are seen as inferior and harassment is considered “normal” behavior. As a result, the boundaries between online and offline harassment are increasingly blurred.
What do these numbers tell us?
The figures show that street harassment is a widespread issue that deeply affects the daily lives of many. It limits victims’ freedom, safety, and self-expression, and contributes to a culture where intimidation is normalized. It is crucial that we take these statistics seriously and work together towards a society where everyone, including queer individuals and women, can feel free and safe in public spaces.