To say this IS "catcalling"- unwanted sexual harassment on the street.

[Booblessbeauty]

I have cancer, I am bald and I can't wear anything to cover my head, due to bone pain in my skull. I have had both breasts removed, and I have swollen hands and feet. I wear men's slippers, and am hunched over.

I go out to the shops and do my own shopping. I was nervous at first, going out bald, but beyond one or two comments from school girls, there was no problem. I spoke to the girls involved and explained about cancer and chemotherapy, and they were apologetic.

In recent days, I have had aggro from a group of young teen boys in my cul-de-sac. They throw rubbish at me ( nothing damaging) and shout abuse such as "o you are soooo sexy" and " hold me back! I can't resist! I might have to rape her"

I contacted the police online today, as I needed to go shopping but was too intimidated, and felt too vulnerable to go out. I described this as "cat calling". The policeman who rang up said this is not "cat calling", because "cat calling" is when attractive people are shouted at on the street.

I think this is "cat calling" and that "cat calling" or any unwanted sexual harassment has nothing what so ever to do with attraction, and is entirely to do with power and humiliation. I also think the police should know that.

I'm not entirely sure but it's shocking. I really hope you're ok

Do these jerks live on your street?

You could film them and show their parents.

You could ring the police back and tell them you're being harassed and intimidated by the group. I wouldn't mention anything gendered like catcalling.

Just call it harassment, intimidation, and excess noise.

Thank you. I am ok, as I have enough food in the house, but I have not had a chance to go for a walk today, which is a shame. I hope I will be able to go tomorrow. If not, at least they will be back in school Tuesday.

Yes this is what I'd call it actually. Harrassment. Intimidation. Not catcalling.

The policeman who rang up said this is not "cat calling", because "cat calling" is when attractive people are shouted at on the street.

Honestly, I'd make a formal complaint. Because sexual harassment is nothing to do with attraction. It's asserting power. In exactly the same way as rape is not sex, it's power/violence/dominance.

The officer needs some training and very quickly.

It doesn’t really matter what you report it as, it’s sick enough they should be looking into it. I am so saddened our police have become dictated to by flow charts basically. I’m so sorry OP.

This.

Thank you for confirming what I thought. It is about power, and bullying, not attraction. I will ring back and complain again, if they are still doing it tomorrow.

It’s harassment of a sexualised nature.

I wouldn’t call it cat-calling but that’s irrelevant to how seriously the police should take it.

Why are the police quibbling as to what this is called rather than trying to stop it?

I do think the "rape is not about sex" thing is bullshit though. Rape can be about a lot of things but one of them is definitely sex.

nothing what so ever to do with sex, it is about power

@Booblessbeauty I love your username! I remember your post about the girls. I'm so sorry to gear about these boys. You're having such a tough time and shouldn't have to put up with this. I'm at the tail end of breast cancer treatment myself and ended up having to just go out with a bald head. It was really hard. If you want some one to vent to or just to chat to, please do feel free to message me.

This is awful. Little shits.

The response you got was just as bad though. Please make a formal complaint.

I've worked with rapists professionally. It's about dominance, possession, power, violence, compulsion, a whole lot of things. It's not about sex. Or a wank/sex worker would do.

Cat calling is just another term for sexual harassment. you're being sexually harassed. Please report it again and please report the officer you spoke to.

I'm so sorry this is happening. What horrible horrible boys.

Its all about sex in that sex holds power. Not sex as in sexual attraction or love. Same as stabbing and violence is power and possibly sort of sexual.

This is awful! Do you have anyone who can support you? Have you spoken to your Macmillan nurse about this? Definitely report again and escalate a complaint about the first police officer. When did we become so bloody lacking in compassion?

Absolute wee bastards. I am so sorry this has happened to you. Disgusting, despicable behaviour.

And God yes film them and show the parents! Unless you know them to be true scum any parent will tackle this. All people of any class and culture/subculture recognise cancer to be off limits even when other things may not be.

I’m so sorry that you are going through all of this OP!!
If I lived near you (and know you!) I’d come round and confront the little s*ds and March them round to their parents!!
Hope you’re ok. Good luck with your treatment….

I’m a police officer. I also wouldn’t call it cat-calling, the same as the officer who called you back.

Calling this, or any other kind of unwanted and personal comments ‘cat-calling’ somehow diminishes the behaviour and often comes with the previously common-place expectation that ‘it’s just a bit of fun’ or it’s flattering’.

So I would have called it what it was. A crime of harassment.

Even better report it to the school they go to, they will properly explain it to them.

I suspect that wasn't what the officer said or OP wouldn't be upset about it.

And yes, it would be lovely if every officer treated the harassment of women as important. Hence, training needed.

OP- Im sorry the person you spoke to was so dismissive. You shouldn’t have to spell out the offence to them.

Report this again. This is an offence under s4a of the Public Order Act. Tell them you found their comments “abusive” and that it caused you real “distress”. Don’t call it cat calling.

Im sorry you’ve had to deal with this and I’m impressed with your determination to see it through.