Street harassment
Everyone should feel safe on the streets in the City of Leeuwarden. There is no place for street harassment. Street harassment includes situations where someone is whistled at, sworn at, chased or jeered at. It also includes sexual or aggressive remarks. Have you been affected by this yourself or do you see it happening? Report it! Is there an immediate danger? Call 112.
When can you report street harassment?
Street harassment can be reported during or after the event. The ‘Report street harassment’ button will take you to a form where you can report what happened and where. If you leave your phone number or e-mail address, a local authority employee can contact you and explain what the local authority will do with your report. You can also report street harassment anonymously.
Unwilling or unable to report online?
Contact the City of Leeuwarden.
What can you do if you see it happening?
You can help in several ways. For example:
- Have you witnessed street harassment? Then ask the person concerned: ‘Are you okay?’
- Act as if you know the victim and strike up a conversation.
- Do you see someone from the police or a local authority inspector in the area? If so, speak to them and explain the situation. That person can intervene. A local authority inspector is also called a ‘handhaver’, or special investigation officer’.
What can the local authority do about street harassment?
- Pay special attention to the area during patrols.
- Provide additional lighting in certain locations, for example.
- Have conversations with business owners in that neighbourhood (to prevent harassment).
Why is reporting street harassment important?
Reporting street harassment is important because it highlights the problem. If we at the City of Leeuwarden know where and when this happens, we can take better action.
Reporting street harassment is not the same as a police report.
If you file a report with the local authority, that is not a police report.
The police
Have you experienced behaviour such as threats, intimidation, sexual assault or assault? In that case, call the police via 112 (in case of emergency) or 0900 8844 (in case of no emergency).
Slachtofferhulp Nederland
Do you want to talk about what happened? If so, call the victim support line: Slachtofferhulp Nederland.
Tûmba
Have you faced discrimination? If so, contact Tûmba, the discrimination and diversity knowledge centre in Friesland, for help and advice.
Sexual Violence Centre
Have you experienced sexually transgressive behaviour and need help? This means that someone makes sexual advances that are unwanted by the other person. If so, contact the Sexual Violence Centre.
Tackling street harassment in Leeuwarden
The City of Leeuwarden wants to prevent street harassment and make people aware that street harassment is unacceptable. The local authority focuses on different target groups with different measures. Not only on victims, but also on perpetrators and witnesses. Special attention is paid to individuals from the LGBTQ+ community.
Safe cities programme
The local authority is affiliated to the Safe Cities programme. By joining this programme, the local authority is putting the issue of street harassment permanently on the agenda. Street harassment will no longer be accepted.
‘Are you okay?’
The local authority advertises to raise awareness of street harassment. This kind of advertising is also known as a campaign.
For example, the local authority is participating in the “Are you OK?” campaign. This campaign makes it possible to raise street harassment and unwanted sexual behaviour on the streets, in catering establishments, at student associations and at festivals.
Campaign message
The campaign message is: Have you witnessed sexual harassment? Then ask the person concerned: ‘Are you okay?’ This is how we in Leeuwarden ensure together that everyone feels safe.
Do you have any questions?
Contact the City of Leeuwarden.
When can you report street harassment?
Street harassment can be reported during or after the event. The ‘Report street harassment’ button will take you to a form where you can report what happened and where. If you leave your phone number or e-mail address, a local authority employee can contact you and explain what the local authority will do with your report. You can also report street harassment anonymously.
Unwilling or unable to report online?
Contact the City of Leeuwarden.
What can you do if you see it happening?
You can help in several ways. For example:
- Have you witnessed street harassment? Then ask the person concerned: ‘Are you okay?’
- Act as if you know the victim and strike up a conversation.
- Do you see someone from the police or a local authority inspector in the area? If so, speak to them and explain the situation. That person can intervene. A local authority inspector is also called a ‘handhaver’, or special investigation officer’.
What can the local authority do about street harassment?
- Pay special attention to the area during patrols.
- Provide additional lighting in certain locations, for example.
- Have conversations with business owners in that neighbourhood (to prevent harassment).
Why is reporting street harassment important?
Reporting street harassment is important because it highlights the problem. If we at the City of Leeuwarden know where and when this happens, we can take better action.
Reporting street harassment is not the same as a police report.
If you file a report with the local authority, that is not a police report.
The police
Have you experienced behaviour such as threats, intimidation, sexual assault or assault? In that case, call the police via 112 (in case of emergency) or 0900 8844 (in case of no emergency).
Slachtofferhulp Nederland
Do you want to talk about what happened? If so, call the victim support line: Slachtofferhulp Nederland.
Tûmba
Have you faced discrimination? If so, contact Tûmba, the discrimination and diversity knowledge centre in Friesland, for help and advice.
Sexual Violence Centre
Have you experienced sexually transgressive behaviour and need help? This means that someone makes sexual advances that are unwanted by the other person. If so, contact the Sexual Violence Centre.
Tackling street harassment in Leeuwarden
The City of Leeuwarden wants to prevent street harassment and make people aware that street harassment is unacceptable. The local authority focuses on different target groups with different measures. Not only on victims, but also on perpetrators and witnesses. Special attention is paid to individuals from the LGBTQ+ community.
Safe cities programme
The local authority is affiliated to the Safe Cities programme. By joining this programme, the local authority is putting the issue of street harassment permanently on the agenda. Street harassment will no longer be accepted.
‘Are you okay?’
The local authority advertises to raise awareness of street harassment. This kind of advertising is also known as a campaign.
For example, the local authority is participating in the “Are you OK?” campaign. This campaign makes it possible to raise street harassment and unwanted sexual behaviour on the streets, in catering establishments, at student associations and at festivals.
Campaign message
The campaign message is: Have you witnessed sexual harassment? Then ask the person concerned: ‘Are you okay?’ This is how we in Leeuwarden ensure together that everyone feels safe.
Do you have any questions?
Contact the City of Leeuwarden.