Creep Off Harassment Reporting Tool
Creep Off is a brand new pilot reporting tool to track harassment and catcalling on the street. It is launched by a Vancouver non-profit, Good Night Out Vancouver. This text-based service collects information about incidents of harassment. The hope is that collecting this information will lead to better support for women, members of the LGBTQ+ community, as well as other groups that are vulnerable to harassment and misconduct.
Good Night Out was founded in 2015 and strives to enhance the safety of patrons, particularly for women and the LGBTQ+ community, in Vancouver’s nightlife. GNO conducts regular audits of bars, clubs, and other late-night establishments to ensure that the care and safety of customers and staff is a priority.
How Does Creep Off Work?
To provide information, all you need to do is to text “creep off” to 778-800-3822 after witnessing or experiencing harassment or misconduct. This sets off an automated chain of questions that will ask for more detail about the location and nature of the incident.
All submissions will be kept anonymous but participants will be asked about their age and gender to help determine the demographics of people participating. In August, Good Night Out will analyze the data that’s been received and provide a report that can be used to improve programs that support victims of harassment.
The reporting can be done after the fact and when the situation is safe. It’s important to know that this service cannot provide any immediate help if someone is an unsafe situation. If help is immediately needed, please call 911. Creep Off is only a research tool at this time.
Is Harassment a Real Problem?
Some people may feel that harassment or cat-calling on the street is harmless. The reality is that it isn’t always. Sometimes these situations escalate into truly unsafe situations. The person on the receiving end of the harassment has no way of knowing how far the perpetrator will take it. It also violates their sense of personal space and autonomy. In most cases, the people who feel this behavior is harmless are usually perpetrators. People in vulnerable groups rarely profess this as harmless fun.
In other countries, such as the Netherlands, street harassment is now a criminal offense. Awareness has been raised by accounts like Instagram’s @dearcatcallers that documents perpetrators of harassment. This account started by posting photos of harassers with their catcalls for a whole bunch by just one woman. And these are just the photos of the men who agreed to pose for the photo with her. The amount was startling and took off in raising the awareness that led to the change of laws there.
The problem with a lot of harassment now is that it is so commonplace and yet underreported. Most people who experience don’t have a place to report it that will make any difference.
Make a Difference that Contributes to Safety
Program the Creep Off number into your phone. Encourage your friends to put it into theirs. If you experience or witness an incident, send the text and answer the questions. The more data we have about incidents of harassment, the more we can determine the best way to create safer spaces for everyone. Share this article and help spread the word!
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