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There's nothing that makes a woman's skin crawl quite like getting catcalled on the street. 20-year-old Amsterdam-based student Noa Jansma, much like the rest of us, was pretty fed up with it, and decided to do something about it. Throughout the month of September, she took a selfie with every single creep who harassed her and uploaded them on Instagram, captioning each one with the words of her abusers.

What do the photos say? By juxtaposing the catcallers' callous, unashamed grins with her own exhausted, painfully familiar expression, Jansma shows the world just how frequent, real, and disturbing these experiences are for women everywhere. She also gains power over them, though, by documenting their actions and putting them on display for the whole world to see. Though her own experiment has ended, she has opened the @dearcatcallers Instagram page for submissions in hopes of creating a global dialogue on the collective struggle women face.

From January 1st, 2018, catcalling will be punishable by law in Jansma's native Netherlands, and violators will be subject to fines of up to 190 euros ($220). If her daring project continues to go viral, perhaps more nations will follow suit.

More info: Instagram

#1

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Amanda Panda
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This made me throw up a little bit in my mouth. I definitely would NOT have let him put his disgusting paws on me.

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    #3

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    Amanda Panda
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Attracted to how long she looks no doubt. Too bad there wasn't a photo of the license plate.

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    Amanda Panda
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Something tells me he's probably a virgin. He wouldn't now what to do with any girl. Perv.

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    #9

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    Amanda Panda
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sounds like he wanted to eat her, judging by the size of that belly, he probably did! Creep!

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    #10

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    Linda Motley
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Last time someone said that to me, I said, "It's in the phone,book". He replied, "But what's your name?" I replied, "That's in the phone,book, too." As I walked away, his friends were laughing hysterically at him...

    Sean Hardin
    Community Member
    7 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    You prove my point as to why 911 should not exist. Men get no benefit from 911, yet pay all the taxes to use a phone system that only you women use, and use it against men.

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    Phillip Wahl
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Although I don't agree with cat calling;I feel like posting content like this only seeks to divide men and women. If you can make women afraid of men, and men afraid of approaching women you can disrupt a setting that would help lead to happy, healthy relationships. Without a stable relationship you can't have a strong family. Divisive propaganda like this is not necessary.

    Edwin Betancourt Jr.
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think catcalling is lame. I always felt the best way to get a woman's attention is to not show them any attention at all! Go about your business and make believe they don't exist. It works 10 times better if they find you attractive... They call men who do this "The quiet, mysterious type" Lmao...

    The Cube Cat
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No, it is to be friendly. Friends make the best partners. And don't tell me that I don't know what I'm talking about, I think that as a woman I would know what women find attractive.

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    Nina Grow
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Years ago I worked with mechanics. A younger mechanic fresh out of the army told me that his mentor (30 yrs his senior) told him this. "You have to catcall the women going by or the other guys will think you're gay." I think this has more to do with it than we'll ever know.

    Leigh Kennerly
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    II get why she’s doing it, but what is it really doing to solve the issue? Taking pictures with cat callers just encourages them to keep doing it... right?

    Sandra Currie
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They don't do it to pick us up, they do it to belittle and demean us.

    Cameron Stone
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm sooo glad you developed ESP and know what's in OTHER folks head now! Men who cat call are trying to belittle or demean you. How can you even say that with a straight face?

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    Miguel Denyer
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Look at the reflection in the window... they aren't looking at her...

    Terri Corriveau
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They're looking at her phone. Which you can tell. Because they're making direct eye contact with the photo.

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    Spin Thathamster
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    All the men are clearly from shithole countries. And women in Western Europe clearly like this sort of men behaviour, since they are so "pro immigration".

    Antonio Loric
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Catcalling..when you are big coward for talking with a girl face 2 face

    Paul Jones
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In reincarnative terms, these ugly men are post-simians, beings incarnating the first lifetime on two feet (up from the previous four)

    TheKnightOwl
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This reminds me of a night out in the city when a guy came up to me while his group of friends watched and said, "Hey Julie" Me: I'm not Julie Him: What is it then, babe Me (still walking): Not Julie Him: Come on, a name and a number, babe. This continued for a few minutes. I kept walking and thankfully had a group of male friends nearby. Only once it was clear I wasn't alone did he back off. How does any guy think making a move like that could actually work. Surely there aren't any women who would fall for that....?

    Adam Torrens
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Because he was Infront of his friends. Never underestimate the fragility of the male ego. Their are very few ways to approach a girl you don't know on the street with out coming off as a creep. That's why most of us just don't do it. The ones that do have to go right out there and have already built up an I don't care mentality to a degree but they do care especially in front of a crowd.

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    Jace
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Can "we" have your number? I'm suspecting they're not polyamorous...

    Anin Etnarud
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    you could work as under cover agent to put in list street pedos

    Pamela Grove
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What shocks me the most is they all willingly let their picture be taken,they're PROUD of it, there is NO shame at all. That's what I find so shocking. Who taught these creeps about their respect towards women?

    Benj
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't mean to sound like a chauvinist, but this woman is actually a model. I know that sounds bad, but she clearly knows she's beautiful. Yes, guys who do catcalls are generally pretty douchey, but this kinda feels like a bit of a setup. Some of the "callers" may have actually been saying something to the effect of "Hey, I recognize you", but we'd never know, because it was written from her perspective. In a nutshell: Yes, those kind of guys are pretty lame, but this also feels a but contrived.

    Benj
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    https://www.google.com/search?q=Noa+Jansma+model&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS746US746&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiro425vtzWAhUK7mMKHXwoByUQsAQIQA&biw=1794&bih=929

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    Arnaud Huet
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So? None of the posted "catcalling" is offensive unless you want to be offended with it. I don't do this but these "baby", "honey", "can I have your number", "what is a pretty girl like you going alone" are not subtle, right but where is the offense and unbearable issue? She is a cute girl, these guys are upfront and lack subtelty but they're not aggressive, they're not touching her, it's just clumsy words... way to be offended really...

    Cherie O
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    These guys really think they are awesome. What Neanderthals....

    Cameron Stone
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If funny. All these men have ACTUALLY done is to cat call, wolf whistle and make crude sexual comments. And most of the women here have accused them of looking like RAPISTS, CHILD MOLESTERS, PERVERTS, PEDOPHILES, MURDERERS. I think the problem is clear. Unattractive males who express themselves sexually...MUST be evil beings deserving of imprisonment, torture and death.

    Linda Motley
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It has nothing to do with attractiveness. It has everything to do with being rude, crude, and presumptuous. How would you like it if your daughter or granddaughter were subjected to this treatment? I suspect if she told you she was, you'd be looking to beat the c**p out of someone...

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    Daniel Carvalho
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It is vivible, Some of these guys are just starting a conversation with these quotes. Theare are no reason to hate and treat them as creepies. falsa accusation of creeping is hate.

    Gloriana Fernández
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's obnoxious, bothersome and sometimes downright frightening to be called by someone you don't know on the street that is clearly doing so because they find you sexually attractive. Only knuckle draggers start conversartions this way. Yuck.

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    Daniel Carvalho
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Can have a number is invitation to further tal kjand knowing thelsemves. Egoic thinking arbitraryily conclude this is evil.

    Meowton Mewsk
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No. Catcalling is catcalling. Hitting on a woman in a bar is hitting on a woman in a bar. Duh, right?

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    Iva Sušická
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes, lets judge them only because they asked nice girl for number... OMG, what kind of douchebags are here on Bored Panda?!

    CHRISTIE WAGNER
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sweetie, you're not nearly as good-looking as you think you are. You're just an overly sensitive, unbalanced bimbo who obviously never had any real problems or tragedies in your life. Wonder if you've ever had any achievements...no? Maybe this is why you waste time taking selfies of strangers you encountered for a few seconds and will never see again in your life. What a shallow, man-hating bimbo.

    Daniel Carvalho
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Falsely acusing men of cat calling is misandry. Must be penalized it is what the TV shows doesn't want yoou to understand.

    Doo Derry Dee
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If I was you, I'd go down there and give those boys a drink. Can't imagine how happy it makes a man to see a woman like you. Just to look at her. And if one of them should pat your behind, just make believe it's nothing. They earned it.

    Doo Derry Dee
    Community Member
    7 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    "If I was you, I'd go down there and give those boys a drink. Can't imagine how happy it makes a man to see a woman like you. Just to look at her. And if one of them should pat your behind, just make believe it's nothing. They earned it."

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    Rebekah
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A bunch of men, at a table together. This just amplifies the scariness to me. Bastards.

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    Agnes Jekyll
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That whistling is for each other. They know it won't get her attention, but it proves their manhood and humiliates her at the same time. If she ignores it, they get what they want. If she tells them off, it makes them even more proud of themselves. She's documenting it, and if they don't realize what tools they look like, at least everyone who sees them does.

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    Cathy
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And all the time I was thinking 'well this doesn't happen in Amsterdam... Amsterdam people are polite'. Wrong. 😖

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    #18

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    LostSoul
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Hey girl, where are you going?" ~ "Home" ~ "Can we join? Where do you live? Think we can do fun things together"

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