LONDON — A woman who says she was catcalled by construction workers on her way to work day after day has finally reported them to the police.
Poppy Smart, a 23-year-old digital marketing coordinator, was subjected to whistles and comments from builders when she passed the construction site in Worcester, England, and finally decided enough was enough.
“Every day I’d walk past and they’d wolf whistle,” Smart told the BBC. “They’d even come out of the building site to wolf whistle as I’d continue down the road.”
“One of the guys got up in my face and all he said was ‘morning love,’ but it was in a very aggressive way and the other one sneered. They blocked the pavement and I had to walk around them.”
Poppy Smart, 23, calls police on builders after claiming wolf-whistling is sexual harassment: http://t.co/zUh6e931pJ pic.twitter.com/38jtqIgKo0
— Western Daily Press (@WesternDaily) April 27, 2015
Smart says she has tried wearing sunglasses and headphones to prevent the harrassment, but to no avail. She says she tried to brush off the first few incidents but eventually felt she had to take action. So she secretly filmed the men and took the matter to West Mercia Police.
“I think more women should speak out about this behaviour. Maybe it will make people think twice,” Smart said. “Imagine hearing someone speaking that way to your sister, mother, wife or daughter.”
Her actions have divided people across social media. Many expressed support and gratitude that she made a stand.
Respect for #PoppySmart for reporting persistent wolf-whistlers. Unwanted attention is a form of abuse, and it is not okay. #everydaysexism
— Leigh Forbes (@spectrum_life) April 28, 2015
Once, twice or bit of banter fair enough – but when it’s done to intimidate it’s harassment. It’s happened to me&it’s unnerving #PoppySmart
— Kristy Lear (@KristyLear) April 28, 2015
We should praising #PoppySmart for speaking up. It’s 2015, let’s end misogyny. Is it really so hard to treat women like humans beings?
— David Pearson (@TheMadAstrophys) April 28, 2015
It looks like some of these men criticising #PoppySmart still believe women are objects. Feminism is still necessary.
— A South Wales Blog (@AWelshBlog) April 28, 2015
Others, however, thought she was taking things too seriously and wasting police time.
The owner of the building site has reportedly apologised to Smart.
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