Catcalling, Reveals Verbal Harassment In Public Space

ILLUSTRATION

Catcalling is often considered a minor 'temptation' on the streets, but in reality, this action is a tangible form of verbal or non-verbal sexual harassment that has a major effect on a person's sense of security and dignity in the public sphere.

Catcalling is defined as a series of sexual harassment behaviors that occur in public spaces often in the form of whistles, screams, comments about the body or appearance, or gazes that make a person feel uncomfortable and threatened.

Although many consider it mere lelucon or promand', research shows that catcalling can have serious psychological impacts reduce confidence, make victims afraid to be in public spaces, even limit their freedom of movement.

In Indonesia, the matter of law is starting to become clear: actions like this are included in the scope of sexual harassment regulated by Law Number 12 of 2022 concerning the Crime of Sexual Violence (TPKS Law).

Some common forms of catcalling:

Calls or calls like 'pss', 'hai sweet' to someone passing by.

Comments about the body or sexual appearance without consent.

Following someone without permission or a walk behind him to interfere.

The gaze or gesture that causes fear or discomfort.

The main causes of catcalling include patriarchal culture that considers it normal for men to 'comment' women in public spaces, lack of education about consent (consent), and lack of law enforcement against verbal acts like this.

The impact should not be taken lightly: victims can experience anxiety when walking alone at night, choose a long route or avoid certain locations, and even experience a decrease in confidence.

The Latest Case Of Police Officers In Jakarta

On October 29, 2025, Polda Metro Jaya announced that personnel at the Brimob Polda Metro Jaya unit were being investigated for allegedly catcalling verbal or non-verbal harassment that occurred in public spaces.

The Head of Public Relations stated that the members involved had been given disciplinary action by the Brimob Provost-Units, and the disciplinary examination process was ongoing.

Although the name of the victim and the exact location have not been officially mentioned, this incident attracted attention because the perpetrators were law enforcement officers who should have been public protectors, not disturbing the sense of security.

More specifically, in the Kebayoran Baru area, South Jakarta, a woman with the initials JN uploaded a video to social media showing a police officer catcalling her on the sidewalk.

In the video, he reprimands the police officer:

"Police, you guys tease girls. You're crazy."

The Metro Jaya Police Chief then ordered Propam to take firm action against these individuals, and disciplinary sanctions ready to be imposed.

This incident was in the public spotlight because it showed that harassment such as catcalling did not only occur between ordinary citizens, but also involved the officials who should be role models.

Catcalling may often be considered a 'sepele' or 'only mild temptation', but when we see its impact, especially in public spaces, it is clear that this is a form of harassment that destroys a person's sense of security and dignity.

Recent cases in Jakarta show that there is no place for the perpetrators, even if the perpetrators are law enforcement officers. Law enforcement is starting to appear, but public education remains the key so that this culture can be changed from "only comments" to something that is taken seriously and taken action.

As a society, we all have a role: to realize that catcalling is not a "praise", but a violation of someone's space and trust; to support victims to dare to report; and to encourage the creation of a safe and equal public space for everyone without exception.