If you’ve ever experienced catcalling, explicit comments or even unwelcome physical contact while on the New York City streets, you’re far from alone — and the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence has launched a campaign aimed at ending street harassment.
Digital ads, sidewalk decals and posters are already in place around the city, including the Bronx, in the $250,000 campaign to eliminate street harassment. Across the Bronx, the campaign materials span from Woodlawn down to the South Bronx and back up the east side to Pelham Bay Park.
Though some might believe street harassment is no big deal, it is actually a serious problem that often leads victims to experience anxiety and depression, change their daily routines or even consider moving out of the city, according to a 2024 survey by the NYC Street Harassment Prevention Advisory Board with nearly 4,000 responses.
The survey found that 7 out of 10 New Yorkers experienced street harassment at some point, with nearly 2,000 residents reporting that it occurred within the previous six months.
New Yorkers reported physical and verbal incidents, such as explicit comments or gestures, being followed or filmed, being purposely touched and seeing others expose themselves.
Disturbingly, many survey respondents said they first experienced harassment when they were under age 18.
These incidents occurred not late at night, for the most part, but during daytime hours, most often on the streets, sidewalks and public transportation rather than other venues such as parks, clubs, shops and restaurants.
Mayor Mamdani said these findings show that street harassment is a “pervasive” problem in every borough. “Addressing it means investing in tools and resources to reduce harm and build safer communities,” he said in a statement.
“Street harassment undermines our shared sense of safety and dignity, leaving New Yorkers feeling unsafe in spaces they have a right to occupy,” said Christine Clarke, commissioner of the New York City Commission on Human Rights. “Street harassment is not only unacceptable, it is illegal. All New Yorkers should be able to navigate our city without fear.”
To complement the public awareness campaign, the city also published a resource guide to help New Yorkers prevent street harassment and help as bystanders when incidents occur.
Reach Emily Swanson at eswanson@schnepsmedia.com or (646) 717-0015. For more coverage, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!
