The influx of internet users has brought about change and evolution, therefore leading to the birth of online sexual harassment. One survey shows that 68% percent of girls and young women in the Philippines have experienced online sexual harassment; this is a call from young Filipinas that they feel unsafe in the virtual space. According to Childnet International, online sexual harassment is sexual conduct on any digital platform that is unwanted. This includes sharing digital content, commenting, posting, etc., on different platforms either private or public.
We sat down with Ms. Eldawn Catalan, the founder of BAYE. As a clothing line that aims to help women feel more confident, BAYE aims to educate on misogyny and bigotry through their empowering shirts. Catalan spent her whole life advocating women’s empowerment and calling out abusers and sexual harassers. For Catalan, her brand is more than just a clothing brand, but an advocacy and a movement where women support women.
Upon chatting with Catalan, she mentioned the BAYE tees, which send a message to call out catcallers. This is something that they do in order to bring awareness to topics like sexual harassment, which she and her models have experienced. For her, sexual harassment is something that makes women feel uncomfortable, whether it be in their daily duties in the workplace or in the online setting.
We are constantly connected through the power of social media and technology. Does this connection give access to harassers to prey on their victims? Is it high time to fight and stop these perpetrators?
Hold up! Can you identify when an online interaction is already sexual harassment? Always remember, that you can be safe when you are informed! Don’t worry, we got you. Here are the following things you need to know about what online sexual harassment is.
There’s always a threat on social media; we can’t control what others will say or how they will react. However, we should not let that dictate what we stand for.
Online sexual harassment may be difficult to spot, but we know that it's there, and we need to fight against it! Thankfully, we have safe places for men and women to turn to. There are public agencies and organizations, like SaferKidsPH Consortium, an organization that helps stop online sexual abuse and exploitation of children in the online setting. Another organization that you can trust is the C.U.R.E Foundation. It is a recovery shelter called Rancho ni Cristo, located in Cebu City, where girls who are victims of online exploitation can find a home and heal.
If you happen to experience online sexual harassment and you feel unsafe you may contact the Philippine National Police (PNP) Women and Children Protection Center (WCPC) at 0945-863225 or (032) 410-8483 for the Visayas, and 0917-180-6037 or 0928-604-6425 in Mindanao. The National Bureau of Investigation-Anti-Human Trafficking Division Hotline (NBI-AHTRAD) can be contacted through its hotline at (02) 8521-9208 or emailed at ahtrad@nbi.gov.ph.
We are aiming for a safer place that is far from reality, but for now, what we can do is fight and continue raising awareness. Through this, we can impact lives, and inform and empower everyone.
Miss Eldawn Catalan left us with some heartfelt advice. “We should always remember that there’s no tolerance in sexual harassment, if you let it, then it will stay.”
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