The initiators of “Catcalls of Zurich” use chalk and Instagram to draw attention to verbal sexual abuse. A topic that concerns everyone and does not stop at the Tsüri.ch community.
January 26, 2021
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«Din A * sch is full of power us. Still mega awesome ”, reads a few days ago in purple letters on Bahnhofstrasse in Zurich – a verbal assault on a woman. A few days later, a pink chalked sentence adorns Zurich’s shopping mile: “Geile A * sch, dörfi mal ahlange?” – addressed to a man this time. This was the first time that a man had contacted them, say the initiators of “Catcalls of Zurich”. They always meet the Instagram DMs, which come in waves like a wave, with a lot of compassion, then they get to work equipped with colored chalk. With their campaign, they are also fighting homophobia and transphobia at the same time.
It all started in New York when one of the two initiators personally experienced a catcall. In the US metropolis, it is a certain Sophie Sandberg who draws attention to the circumstances with her “Catcalls of New York” initiative. In Zurich it is now these two young women who have been livening up their Instagram account with chalk catcalls for a few months now. The initiators can be found especially around HB, as this is where most of the catcalls take place. “If many people are present, many will also be aware of the topic,” they say. With a few exceptions, feedback from people has so far been very positive.
Particularly nice: After the media coverage of the past few days, apparently some young men have turned to the specialist office for equality of the Canton of Zurich in solidarity. As they tell Tsüri.ch on request, the men apparently wanted to show their support in preventing catcalls.
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Catcall stories from the Tsüri.ch community
The Tsüri.ch community has also seen quite a few catcalls, as a survey showed. The editors have put together a few stories here:
- «Just this weekend I was on my way home from friends and was hit on by a group of guys on the train. After I fail to answer the question ‹Eh yo, wetsch get pregnant›?, responded, other unsightly things were called after me when I got out (including ‹I would wave the ugly cunt anyway …› The knockers were celebrated in the group. “
- Passers-by in the station hall: “I would lick you for hours.”
- «A train compartment full of recruits gazed at me and other women boarding and made comments like: ‹It’s a shame she’s not blonde.›
- ATueaway with a cat basket in public transport; a passerby to his buddy: ‹Oh look, two cats.›
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- “It was about two years ago. I drove home on the Bern – Zurich autobahn in the late afternoon and straight into a long traffic jam. At some point I got out of the car, it was one of the very hot summer days when a driver actually hopped off the far left lane with outstretched elbows in sideways gear. I couldn’t assess the situation that quickly, he really jumped and touched my chest, which was also his intention. Then he got pushy and I withdrew into my car. He hung over the open driver’s door, sulked, and unfortunately I gave him my phone number because he was so harassed. He scared me and I wanted to get rid of him. Today I always have pepper spray with me, I’ve changed my phone number. “
- “Was out with a friend, a car full of guys drove towards us and slowed down visibly, all windows went down, the horn went off and four guys whistled for us and called out to us ‹hot›, ‹sexy› and whatever. Showed them the middle finger. Then they completely freaked out and called us sluts who should fuck their mothers. “
- The men spoke to us: “What are two such young girls doing here alone?” “How old are you that you dress so freely?” Suddenly my friend ran off. With a delay I understood what was happening and ran too. One of them spat at me when I turned around and laughed. “
- On the way to work (with a mask). A man runs after me at the station and asks: «Are you submissive? Do you want to submit to me? “
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- «Uff. Yes. Umpteen times. The first time at 13 in Migros by an employee who was just filling up the racks (whistling afterwards). Then the usual whistling or whistling at what felt like every second construction site ‹ ›bsbsbsbsbs (Büsi lure). Random when walking past groups of men (‹do we have your numbers?› ‹Bisch ellei underweighs?›, ‹You’re sure to be good to Figge › etc.) and of course from moving cars. Bellyache zones are still construction sites today, so I give it a wide berth – although today I know what I would do (call the company responsible). “
- “I’m walking past a gas station on a summer evening. Two drunk boys sit next to their motorbike. When they see me, they whistle and call after me that they could drive me somewhere. I go faster. I’m 32 years old.”
- “In summer I put on shorts and a top – of course, I don’t want to get heat stroke. Men in rush hour traffic then see this as an occasion to roll down the windows and whistle after me or shout a sexist comment. Extremely difficult! “
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- “It was around 10 p.m., only a few people were waiting for the tram at the Stauffacher. A well-groomed man in his fifties slowly approached me and began to abuse me. Without warning or incident. I was completely perplexed and tried to argue, which only infuriated him. He ignored my request to leave me alone and leave and came even closer. At that moment I was scared because I didn’t know if it could be dangerous. A second man came to help and told him to leave me alone. Then he trudged away, cursing. What annoyed me most of all was that I didn’t know how to defend myself. Should I scream, insult him with the same words, or run away? The incident kept me busy for a long time. It was nice that the other man stood up for me. “
- «A 60 to 70 year old man comes towards me while jogging. As I run past him, he calls out to me with an aggressive undertone: ‹Greetings to your friend, I’d like to be him too.› I couldn’t get that out of my head for a long time and I hoped I wouldn’t cross it again. It still often comes to mind there. Unpleasant.”
- “A driver opens his window and wants to ask me for directions. As I step closer, I see that he’s jerking off. ”
- «I nod off in the empty four-person compartment on the Bern-Zurich train route. When I wake up I see a man across from me who is rubbing his tail. “
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- In a renowned Zurich restaurant: “After an employee was fired for sexual harassment and coercion, my shift supervisor grabs his tail in front of me and the manager and says: ‹Oh no, you can’t do that anymore!› Apart from a look from the manager full of foreign shame, I received no support from him. “
- “I started skateboarding about six years ago, mostly in the city. I have seen men make rather nice comments (mostly just one ‹yeah!›) while women sometimes insulted me very wildly (‹Kampflesbe›, ‹look how awesome it is›, ‹thinks she’s something better› Etc.). The climax was when a woman called after me outside a club ‹you can tie your breasts right away!› WTF women, be nice to each other too. “
- «I am a man with long hair. When I’m out with my girlfriend, we often get whistled from behind and shout out tedious sayings about threesomes. When I turn around, there is often one ‹Shit that’s the guy!›»
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A catcall to a man.
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The demonstration of dominance
As the above example shows, men are not spared catcalling either. The verbal assault often refers to the appearance of the man, says Helena Trachsel, head of the Equal Opportunities Office in the Canton of Zurich. However, especially women are affected by catcalling. “Men in particular are interested in showing dominance,” suggest the initiators of “Catcalls of Zurich”. Young girls in particular would be intimidated by these power games and would not offer any resistance out of fear. The men, often fueled by the group dynamics, want to stand out as particularly strong, but they often have a weak self-esteem that they disqualify themselves with this rude and disrespectful behavior, they are unfortunately not aware of, adds Trachsel.
Risk assessment is the be-all and end-all
«Safety first!», Say the initiators regarding the appropriate reaction to a catcall. As an outsider, it would be better to rush to help in a group. Metaphors from sport such as “There is now a red card for that” are also very effective, but what is important: “Observers don’t have to be heroes,” emphasizes Helena Trachsel. It is better to call the police (117) one more time.
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Women, you have a right to help!
The initiators of the “Catcalls of Zurich” also make victims of serious sexual assaults aware of other offers of help. Corina Elmer, director of the women’s counseling for sexual violence in Zurich, supports the Catcall initiative, because it makes the hushed up and shame-ridden topic visible. “Catcalling is widespread and is part of everyday life for many women”. Verbal sexual assault is often the preliminary stage for more serious forms of sexual violence. “That’s not ok!” Says Elmer. Women have the right to set boundaries that are also respected. “Every woman affected can contact us and receive support – confidentially and free of charge!” In addition, moral courage is also required in the environment.
With their campaign, the “Catcalls of Zurich” want to continue to increase awareness and solidarity for the prevention of catcalls in the future. The initiators have so far drawn every single catcall that has been sent to them in chalk on the streets of this city and will continue to do so.
If you want to chalk up cat callers too, feel free to join on Instagram @catcallsofzrh Report.
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Further information on advising women on sexual violence in Zurich:
Further information on the Office for Gender Equality in the Canton of Zurich:
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