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Home / World

Woman blows whistle on harassment

By Andy Dolan
Daily Mail·
28 Apr, 2015 05:00 PM2 mins to read

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Poppy Smart compared the wolf-whistling to racial discrimination and said it made her walk to work an "awful experience". Photo / Supplied

Poppy Smart compared the wolf-whistling to racial discrimination and said it made her walk to work an "awful experience". Photo / Supplied

When Poppy Smart was wolf-whistled at by builders on her walk to work, she at first tried to ignore it.

But as the whistles and sexist comments turned into a daily ritual, the 23-year-old Englishwoman became upset.

After a month of unwanted attention from the men on the building site, the marketing co-ordinator decided she'd had enough - and called the police.

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Miss Smart, who recorded the whistling using her smartphone's video function, also contacted one of the construction companies to complain of sexual harassment.

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She compared the wolf-whistling to racial discrimination and said it made her walk to work in Worcester city centre an "awful experience".

One of the workers even approached her on the pavement, blocking her way, before saying, "Morning love," after she had ignored a cacophony of whistling, Miss Smart said.

"He was probably 18 or 19 and got right in my face, standing next to an older man. He didn't touch me but they were in my personal space in the pavement, in my way. It is incredibly intimidating.

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"The whistling went on for a month. I eventually contacted the building company and the police on the same day when it got so bad. I even considered changing my route to work but thought, 'Why should I do that?"'

Illstration / Rod Emmerson
Illstration / Rod Emmerson

West Mercia police confirmed they had followed up Miss Smart's complaint but had not taken further action.

A spokesman said: "After consultation with the woman who reported the behaviour it was decided that the employers would deal with those said to be responsible."

Although wolf-whistling is not a specific offence, workmen who repeatedly make obscene comments to passersby could be convicted of a breach of the peace.

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Sarah Green, of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, said wolf-whistling represented "everyday sexism" which should be stamped out.

"Sexual harassment in the street is too often regarded as trivial when the reality is that many women feel humiliated, insulted and sometimes intimidated by it."

- Daily Mail

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