Tactics suggested by Martha Langelan in Back Off: How to Confront and Stop Sexual Harassment and Harassers, the UK Anti-Street Harassment website and the Rogers Park Young Women’s Action Team are good examples of tactics that might work and can empower you.

NOTE: Only practice these tactics in situations where you feel safe to do so. If you feel unsafe, leave the harasser as quickly as possible.


1. Name the behavior: For example, "Do not whistle at me, that is harassment," "Do not touch my butt, that is sexual harassment"

2. Identify the perpetrator:"Man in the yellow shirt, stop touching me."

3. Use strong body language: Look the harasser in the eye, speak in a strong, clear voice.

4. Do not apologize or ask a question, be firm and assertive: Don't say, 'Excuse me...' 'I'm sorry, but...' 'Please...' but rather say directly, "Stop doing X"

5. Do not get into a dialogue with the harasser, reason with them or answer their questions. Repeat your statement or leave.

6. Do not swear or lose your temper: This type of reaction is the most likely to make the harasser respond with anger and violence and it also can make you seem like the one who is crazy or wrong when the harassment happens among a group of people but no one sees what the harasser did to you.

Read other suggestions from a workshop by Martha Langelan on ways to deal with violence, assault, muggings, harassment in public.