National Rollout of Utrecht's Anti-Street Harassment Lessons: A Comprehensive Initiative

The educational program developed to combat street harassment in Utrecht has now been extended nationwide, offering lessons for primary and secondary schools across the country. Mayor Sharon Dijksma emphasizes the importance of addressing and altering (unwanted) behavior, highlighting street harassment, including mobbing, unwanted touching, and sexual remarks, as an enduring societal issue.

Mayor Dijksma underscores the significance of raising awareness as a crucial tool in combating street harassment, involving not only perpetrators but also bystanders and victims. She commends schools for dedicating significant attention to this matter and expresses satisfaction with the nationwide implementation of these lessons.

Utrecht's broader action plan against street harassment incorporates this teaching module, which also included an experimental initiative targeting men to sensitize them to assaultive behavior. Additionally, catering staff in Utrecht underwent training on appropriate behavior in uncomfortable situations.

While Utrecht is recognized as a leader in addressing reports of transgressive sexual behavior on the street, the issue extends beyond the city's borders. A 2021 CBS study reveals that in major Dutch cities – Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht – an average of 77% of young women report experiencing street harassment.