Comments on: How Female Travelers Can Deal With Sexual Harassment and Assault Overseas http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/how-female-travelers-can-deal-with-sexual-harassment-and-assault-overseas/ travel culture worldwide Sun, 12 Feb 2012 12:51:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Amanda Ferrandino http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/how-female-travelers-can-deal-with-sexual-harassment-and-assault-overseas/#comment-91933 Amanda Ferrandino Tue, 04 Oct 2011 06:11:00 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=3864#comment-91933 Nice reaction, Sara! I'm glad they heard you. People react differently when called out on the street, some laugh, some are embarrassed, some indifferent.  Your reaction is up to you and your experience and what you need to protect yourself in that moment, whether emotionally or physically.  I'm happy you walked away with a smile :) Nice reaction, Sara! I’m glad they heard you. People react differently when called out on the street, some laugh, some are embarrassed, some indifferent.  Your reaction is up to you and your experience and what you need to protect yourself in that moment, whether emotionally or physically.  I’m happy you walked away with a smile :)

]]> By: Amanda Ferrandino http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/how-female-travelers-can-deal-with-sexual-harassment-and-assault-overseas/#comment-91930 Amanda Ferrandino Tue, 04 Oct 2011 05:58:00 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=3864#comment-91930 I teach women's self defense classes abroad and work with women who have experienced sexual violence, I understand what local women experience.  Just because local women experience those things, does that mean that travelers have to experience that too? That travelers shouldn't protect themselves as well? Isn't the audience of this network mostly Western travelers? This was not the space for me to talk about the suffering of women in developing countries or their resourcefulness (though ironically, some of the examples I cite are stories told to me by South Asian women), this was the space for me to talk to Matador's audience about resources and decisions women can make to protect themselves to they can enjoy a country to the fullest extent without being afraid.  And where do you think the article is self-apprising? In which paragraph are looks mentioned? Is every experience I mention my own, where I compare my looks to other women around me? Short answer: no.  Sexual assault or harassment does not only happen to good looking women in miniskirts, but to young girls at the age of 5 to older women at 85.  Besides, Western countries are still not equal and women are still sexualized.  Look around you. I teach women’s self defense classes abroad and work with women who have experienced sexual violence, I understand what local women experience.  Just because local women experience those things, does that mean that travelers have to experience that too? That travelers shouldn’t protect themselves as well? Isn’t the audience of this network mostly Western travelers? This was not the space for me to talk about the suffering of women in developing countries or their resourcefulness (though ironically, some of the examples I cite are stories told to me by South Asian women), this was the space for me to talk to Matador’s audience about resources and decisions women can make to protect themselves to they can enjoy a country to the fullest extent without being afraid.  And where do you think the article is self-apprising? In which paragraph are looks mentioned? Is every experience I mention my own, where I compare my looks to other women around me? Short answer: no.  Sexual assault or harassment does not only happen to good looking women in miniskirts, but to young girls at the age of 5 to older women at 85.  Besides, Western countries are still not equal and women are still sexualized.  Look around you.

]]> By: Amanda Ferrandino http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/how-female-travelers-can-deal-with-sexual-harassment-and-assault-overseas/#comment-91931 Amanda Ferrandino Tue, 04 Oct 2011 05:58:00 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=3864#comment-91931 I teach women's self defense classes abroad and work with women who have experienced sexual violence, I understand what local women experience.  Just because local women experience those things, does that mean that travelers have to experience that too? That travelers shouldn't protect themselves as well? Isn't the audience of this network mostly Western travelers? This was not the space for me to talk about the suffering of women in developing countries or their resourcefulness (though ironically, some of the examples I cite are stories told to me by South Asian women), this was the space for me to talk to Matador's audience about resources and decisions women can make to protect themselves to they can enjoy a country to the fullest extent without being afraid.  And where do you think the article is self-apprising? In which paragraph are looks mentioned? Is every experience I mention my own, where I compare my looks to other women around me? Short answer: no.  Sexual assault or harassment does not only happen to good looking women in miniskirts, but to young girls at the age of 5 to older women at 85.  Besides, Western countries are still not equal and women are still sexualized.  Look around you. I teach women’s self defense classes abroad and work with women who have experienced sexual violence, I understand what local women experience.  Just because local women experience those things, does that mean that travelers have to experience that too? That travelers shouldn’t protect themselves as well? Isn’t the audience of this network mostly Western travelers? This was not the space for me to talk about the suffering of women in developing countries or their resourcefulness (though ironically, some of the examples I cite are stories told to me by South Asian women), this was the space for me to talk to Matador’s audience about resources and decisions women can make to protect themselves to they can enjoy a country to the fullest extent without being afraid.  And where do you think the article is self-apprising? In which paragraph are looks mentioned? Is every experience I mention my own, where I compare my looks to other women around me? Short answer: no.  Sexual assault or harassment does not only happen to good looking women in miniskirts, but to young girls at the age of 5 to older women at 85.  Besides, Western countries are still not equal and women are still sexualized.  Look around you.

]]> By: Amanda Ferrandino http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/how-female-travelers-can-deal-with-sexual-harassment-and-assault-overseas/#comment-91929 Amanda Ferrandino Tue, 04 Oct 2011 05:47:00 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=3864#comment-91929 Just because someone, cultural or not, might have more sexual partners doesn't mean that sexual harassment is okay or normal or acceptable.  I lived in India and Bangladesh and I know the reasons, but that does not make those reasons right or appropriate.  If I am to try to respect the culture I am traveling in, can't locals treat my culture with a little respect as well?  I don't tolerate harassment or assault anywhere, that's not moral high ground, that's just morality.  Just because someone, cultural or not, might have more sexual partners doesn’t mean that sexual harassment is okay or normal or acceptable.  I lived in India and Bangladesh and I know the reasons, but that does not make those reasons right or appropriate.  If I am to try to respect the culture I am traveling in, can’t locals treat my culture with a little respect as well?  I don’t tolerate harassment or assault anywhere, that’s not moral high ground, that’s just morality. 

]]> By: Amanda Ferrandino http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/how-female-travelers-can-deal-with-sexual-harassment-and-assault-overseas/#comment-91928 Amanda Ferrandino Tue, 04 Oct 2011 05:47:00 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=3864#comment-91928 Just because someone, cultural or not, might have more sexual partners doesn't mean that sexual harassment is okay or normal or acceptable.  I lived in India and Bangladesh and I know the reasons, but that does not make those reasons right or appropriate.  If I am to try to respect the culture I am traveling in, can't locals treat my culture with a little respect as well?  I don't tolerate harassment or assault anywhere, that's not moral high ground, that's just morality.  Just because someone, cultural or not, might have more sexual partners doesn’t mean that sexual harassment is okay or normal or acceptable.  I lived in India and Bangladesh and I know the reasons, but that does not make those reasons right or appropriate.  If I am to try to respect the culture I am traveling in, can’t locals treat my culture with a little respect as well?  I don’t tolerate harassment or assault anywhere, that’s not moral high ground, that’s just morality. 

]]> By: Celia Heinz http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/how-female-travelers-can-deal-with-sexual-harassment-and-assault-overseas/#comment-88161 Celia Heinz Tue, 16 Aug 2011 03:57:00 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=3864#comment-88161 I am more likely interested on the 'What to do' thing. :)  http://sexual-harassment.org/ I am more likely interested on the ‘What to do’ thing. :)   http://sexual-harassment.org/

]]> By: Celia Heinz http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/how-female-travelers-can-deal-with-sexual-harassment-and-assault-overseas/#comment-88162 Celia Heinz Tue, 16 Aug 2011 03:57:00 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=3864#comment-88162 I am more likely interested on the 'What to do' thing. :)  http://sexual-harassment.org/ I am more likely interested on the ‘What to do’ thing. :)   http://sexual-harassment.org/

]]> By: sara http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/how-female-travelers-can-deal-with-sexual-harassment-and-assault-overseas/#comment-42199 sara Tue, 05 Apr 2011 02:05:13 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=3864#comment-42199 street harrassment happens in morocco all the time so either you should ignore these males or they'll gather and do their best to piss you off,but once i started crying and told them why are you doing this don't you have sisters? This is really hurting what you guys are doing,are happy now? are you satisfied ? So most of them got sad,one started laughing and thought others will laugh too but they told him yeah thats true come on guys stop it it ain't funny,hehehe and i left with a hidden smile..lol street harrassment happens in morocco all the time so either you should ignore these males or they’ll gather and do their best to piss you off,but once i started crying and told them why are you doing this don’t you have sisters? This is really hurting what you guys are doing,are happy now? are you satisfied ? So most of them got sad,one started laughing and thought others will laugh too but they told him yeah thats true come on guys stop it it ain’t funny,hehehe and i left with a hidden smile..lol

]]> By: Darren http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/how-female-travelers-can-deal-with-sexual-harassment-and-assault-overseas/#comment-41468 Darren Mon, 03 Jan 2011 12:03:02 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=3864#comment-41468 You women have it easy until you venture abroad. My sympathies, but it does wake you up a bit on how good you have it in your own countries. In fact its probably only because you are western-looking that this happens to you more. If you went to countries that are predominately white, like Romania, Russia, Czech Republic, Argentina. You would see that you have nothing to set you apart to the local girls. And so the harrassment would be on an individual basis and not because you are white and buxom. Is it just me or does this article also sound secretly self appraising? I think everyone gets that western women are harrassed overseas more than at home, but hopefully you are not trying to claim you are better looking than the local girls there or pump your self importance at the expense of a valid problem which is harrassment on a worldwide level. You also need to understand that you are not the only ones having to deal with those lewd men. You get to go home and live your lives and forget any random sexual remark made on your trip.... but those women left behind there do not enjoy the same luxury as you do. They bear the brunt of female sexualisation until they are either too old to be ogled or too unattractive to be noticed. That is their only solace, otherwise the very pretty local women have to be very astute in dealing with unwanted attention. You should learn how resourceful they can be, instead of crying about it here or running to the law. My respects to the real courageous women and not the whiners. You women have it easy until you venture abroad. My sympathies, but it does wake you up a bit on how good you have it in your own countries.

In fact its probably only because you are western-looking that this happens to you more. If you went to countries that are predominately white, like Romania, Russia, Czech Republic, Argentina. You would see that you have nothing to set you apart to the local girls. And so the harrassment would be on an individual basis and not because you are white and buxom.

Is it just me or does this article also sound secretly self appraising? I think everyone gets that western women are harrassed overseas more than at home, but hopefully you are not trying to claim you are better looking than the local girls there or pump your self importance at the expense of a valid problem which is harrassment on a worldwide level. You also need to understand that you are not the only ones having to deal with those lewd men. You get to go home and live your lives and forget any random sexual remark made on your trip…. but those women left behind there do not enjoy the same luxury as you do. They bear the brunt of female sexualisation until they are either too old to be ogled or too unattractive to be noticed. That is their only solace, otherwise the very pretty local women have to be very astute in dealing with unwanted attention. You should learn how resourceful they can be, instead of crying about it here or running to the law.

My respects to the real courageous women and not the whiners.

]]> By: Nassau http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/how-female-travelers-can-deal-with-sexual-harassment-and-assault-overseas/#comment-38496 Nassau Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:47:25 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=3864#comment-38496 I have never had a western man do what Chinese men would. They would know I was looking at them, know that I saw them looking at me. They would continue to gesticulate over how large my breasts are, or more commonly, not make eye contact at all and ogle my chest. Seriously, I gauged responses when I came home. Men in the United States will give you a once over and a smile, a whistle, but almost always they look you in the eye. You are not just a floating foreign bosom to them. So no, I do not think that it is fair to say the responses are the same. There is a level of freedom these men feel in harassing foreign women. They are not culturally responsible and are free to objectify her in ways they might be called out on with a woman of their own nationality. I have never had a western man do what Chinese men would. They would know I was looking at them, know that I saw them looking at me. They would continue to gesticulate over how large my breasts are, or more commonly, not make eye contact at all and ogle my chest. Seriously, I gauged responses when I came home. Men in the United States will give you a once over and a smile, a whistle, but almost always they look you in the eye. You are not just a floating foreign bosom to them.

So no, I do not think that it is fair to say the responses are the same. There is a level of freedom these men feel in harassing foreign women. They are not culturally responsible and are free to objectify her in ways they might be called out on with a woman of their own nationality.

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