Greens leader announces plan to make catcalling illegal

Sexually-charged comments and wolf whistling on the street could be made illegal under this radical plan.

A Greens Senator has proposed introducing laws which would allow authorities to issue on-the-spot fines for catcalling in the streets or on public transport.

The idea is modelled from French legislation, rolled out in July last year, which forbids sexual harassment including lewd remarks, wolf whistles or sexist comments that are “degrading, humiliating, intimidating, hostile or offensive,” according to CNN.

In France, on the spot fines can be issued, carrying penalties anywhere between $143 to $1190 (€90 to €750).

Last year, an unidentified man who slapped a woman on the buttocks and made lewd comments about her on a bus near Paris became the first to be prosecuted under the laws in September — two months after they were introduced.

The man, in his 30s, who was inebriated, called the woman a “wh**e” and said she had “big boobs” before assaulting her. He was fined €300 and was jailed for nine months for the attack. He was also given a further suspended sentence of six months for attacking the bus driver.

After his sentencing, France’s gender equality minister Marlene Schiappa said: “Together we will put an end to sexist and sexual violence.”

Larissa Waters, Queensland Greens senator and co-deputy Greens leader told 10 Daily she thinks the success of the French law calls for questions to be asked about the Aussie approach. Currently in Australia, there is no state or federal legislation specifically prohibiting sexual harassment in the street.

Senator Waters expressed her general support for the French model, including on-the-spot fines for catcalling, but said the framework for legislation would be up the Sex Discrimination Commissioner.

A woman who walked the streets in New York City went viral in 2014 after she was catcalled over 100 times.

“It’s worth finding out. The French laws are working … it’s a message we think is effective, not just because of the fine but as society saying this isn’t how you treat women,” Senator Waters told 10 Daily.

“We think the concept is sound, and warrants to see whether it could work in Australia … it deserves consideration.”

The Greens’ equality for women policy document commits to tasking the Sex Discrimination Commissioner with looking at the French model. An assessment would then be made on whether similar laws banning catcalling could be introduced across Australia.

“It starts with catcalling, and if that’s not discouraged or even encouraged by a peer group, which often happens, those cultural norms get reinforced and the mentality leads to gender inequality, objectification of women, and violence,” Senator Waters said.

“Women deserve to be safe. We’re being killed in our homes, on the street, and not enough is being done to keep us safe … if we can stamp out that behaviour that starts as a catcall and ends in a women dying, it’s a worthwhile investment.”

The Greens also outlined their support for “survivor grants” which would hand over $4000 to women and men fleeing domestic violence — a $5.8 million dollar, 10-year plan to radically support victims of domestic violence.

Other commitments include making abortion free and legal in all public hospitals, addressing the housing and homelessness crisis in older women and superannuation for casual, part-time and low-income workers.