Should New York Have 'Harassment-Free' Zones?
"Cat-calling," "hollerin' at a girl," "being a huge douchebag": We're all familiar with the harassment women face on New York's sidewalk, at the hands of stereotypical 1940s construction workers and many other people. Should New York have "harassment-free" zones?
One street harassment expert says 90% of women have experienced some sort of harassment on the street, and by 19, 3/4 have been followed by creepy guys, according to Gothamist. Panelists speaking to City Council today recommended establishing "harassment free" zones around schools. While it's a nice idea, it's hard to see exactly how you could enforce this without seriously infringing on Americans' hard-won right to be absolute shitbags in public. Maybe we can start with Joe Francis-free zones and go from there?
