L'Oréal Paris Celebrates International Anti-Street Harassment Week With Right To Be

L’Oréal Paris is honoring its commitment to empowering and supporting women this   International Anti-Street Harassment Week, which runs from April 16 to April 22. Since 2020, the brand has partnered with Right To Be (a nonprofit with a mission to address street harassment, formerly called Hollaback!) on a campaign called Stand Up Against Street Harassment, which teaches bystanders how to fight back against street harassment in all forms. 

In a survey conducted by L’Oréal Paris, at least 80 percent of women have experienced street harassment firsthand*, or have witnessed it happen to someone else. Street harassment includes any unwanted verbal, non-verbal, or physical conduct of sexual nature. Cat-calling is a prime example of this and if you’re part of the 80 percent that have experienced harassment in public, then you understand the feelings that can come along with it: fear, anxiety, embarrassment, anger, and even sometimes helplessness. 

In an effort to prevent the harassment that people deal with daily, L’Oréal Paris is encouraging all to participate in the Stand Up Training Program, so they know how to intervene in instances of harassment, whether they’re the direct target or a bystander. 

In accordance with Right To Be’s 5D methodology (Distract, Delegate, Document, Delay, Direct), the training shares a simple five-step process to act on in instances where you witness  harassment.  

1. Distract: Create a distraction to de-escalate the situation. 

2. Delegate: Find someone else to help.

3. Document: document the incident and then give it to the person who was harassed.

4. Delay: Check in on the person who experienced harassment.

5. Direct: Set a boundary with the person doing the harassing, and then turn your attention to the person being harassed.

Street harassment is always going to be uncomfortable for the victim and the bystander, but when you’re able to stand up for yourself or someone else, you can become part of the solution to ending it. To show your support, you can purchase the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Satin Lipstick Limited Edition, Red My Lips; 100 percent of the profits are donated to Stand Up Against Street Harassment to further aid the cause. You can also participate in a training session, seek support, share your story, donate or even partner with Right To Be by visiting their website. 

*Based on an IPSOS study conducted in 2021, 80% of women have experienced sexual harassment in public spaces.

Photo Credit: L’Oréal Paris, Photo Design: Sarah Duvivier