How does street harassment affect the target?

Street harassment restricts the right to exist and move freely in public spaces at all times of day without fear. Frequent street harassment can have a significant impact on the target’s life. Research shows that street harassment makes people feel more unsafe, hypervigilant and mistrustful in public spaces. It can also have other psychological effects, such as causing fear, anxiety and stress. This can cause people to change their behaviour by going out less, not hanging around and/or avoiding certain public places to feel safe.