The definition of harassment
The meaning of harassment seems simple at first: a behaviour is considered harassment as soon as someone’s boundary is crossed. This can happen with words, without words or physically. In somewhat simpler terms, it involves behaviour that is unwanted and perceived as unpleasant. When there is a difference in power and position, the behaviour is often also perceived as threatening.
Different forms of harassment
Harassment can come in many forms. Sexual harassment is one example that is often referred to. This refers to behaviour with a sexual tinge that is perceived as undesirable. Sexual harassment includes among other things sexual street harassment and sexually-tinged comments or messages, but can also encompass sexual assault, rape, incest and sexual abuse. Even though the latter three examples fall under the umbrella term sexual harassment, they are usually not considered part of that conversation. Conversations about sexual harassment often involve behaviours that are more subtle, such as hissing, hissing, standing very close to someone and staring, not taking no for an answer or touching someone unwanted on, for example, the back or arms.
But harassment can also involve other forms of discrimination, for example racism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism and Islamophobia. Some people experience various forms of harassment based on different aspects of their identities.
When is something considered harassment?
People are different and may therefore have different boundaries. Some behaviour may be perceived as harassment for one person and not for another. The guiding principle here is always that if someone experiences something as harassment, it is. Even if it wasn’t someone’s intention to harass. In other words, the impact is more important than the intention of the person exhibiting the behaviour. This does not mean that it cannot be discussed or that there are immediate far-reaching consequences, but it does mean that it is always important to remember that everyone can experience the world differently.
How often does harassment occur in the Netherlands?
It is difficult to give a clear answer to this because many different studies are done on this question. These do not always measure the same thing. Sometimes, for example, it is specifically about sexual street harassment or racism. In 2022, the Central Bureau of Statistics of the Netherlands measured that two in three young women say they have been harassed on the street at some point. Another survey shows that half of Dutch people (50%) have experienced behaviour they see as sexual harassment. Women (73%) reported this more often than men (23%). Folks younger than 65 and higher educated people more often indicated that they had had to deal with harassment than older people (65+) and Dutch folks who have not obtained a starting qualification or did not receive higher education.
Folks living in big cities such as Amsterdam and Rotterdam are also more likely to say they have experienced harassment.
The 2019 annual report of the Human Rights Board shows that Dutch folks with a migration background experience discrimination on the streets about three times as often as white Dutch folks. Women who wear hijabs in the Netherlands say they are often scolded and sometimes even physically abused, such as spat at or beaten.
Research also shows that many trans folks (70%) do not feel safe on the streets. Almost 60% of those who identify as women have this unsafe feeling. More than 16% of them have actually been assaulted on the street.
What is the impact of harassment?
People who experience harassment often feel humiliated, afraid and unsafe. They try to avoid repetition by adapting their behaviour. For example, by dressing differently, not being outside alone or avoiding certain places. This means giving up their right to move freely and make their own choices. People may also suffer from depression, anxiety disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Conclusion
Harassment happens a lot and can cause a lot of damage. It is therefore important to be alert to this and intervene when you see it happening. Want to know how? Check our website for more information on bystander intervention and to request one of our tailored training sessions!
