In 2014, the video "10 Hours of Walking in NYC as a Woman" had sparked heated discussions all around the web. It showed what women were very often subjected to when simply walking down the street: verbal sexual harassment in the public space, also known as 'catcalling'. A year later, a report on sexual harassment in public transport was published in France. The result was shocking: every single one of the 600 women surveyed had already experienced this particular type of harassment in public space at least once. Six years later, this phenomenon still appears to be omnipresent.
Luxembourg is not spared from "catcalling" either, as shown by a recent Instagram account created by a 23-year-old psychology student: "Catcalls of Luxembourg". Since March, Anne Schmitz has been collecting testimonies from women across Luxembourg who have been harassed in the street. These testimonies are then written in chalk on the ground in order to raise public awareness and incite the authorities to take action.
Unlike France or Belgium, Luxembourg has no law against street harassment.
Minister of Justice Sam Tanson confirms that except for a petition, which had very limited success, the introduction of a law against catcalling has never really been discussed in Luxembourg. According to the Minister, it is often difficult to provide evidence because the harassers hide their foul comments behind "compliments". Nevertheless, Tanson welcomes the discussion, stating that at the very least it is making residents aware of the issue. Tanson also stresses that catcalling has "no place in Luxembourg". Regarding an actual law, the Minister states that if it is to be enforced, it "must be effective".
Opinion - Valeria Wiwinius: Should catcalling be made illegal?
