This study investigates the role of physical mobility in street harassment by analyzing a stratified random sample of 334 cases posted to Right To Be (formerly Hollaback!), an online community documenting experiences of street harassment. Findings suggest that harassers utilize means of transportation as weapons to inflict or threaten physical harm, to escape or preserve anonymity, and to pursue targets and as a hunting ground for potential targets. By identifying the mechanisms of street harassment, we theorize how harassers negotiate mobility—particular types of mobility, especially that which is enabled by public transportation and owner vehicles—to gain advantage over targets of harassment.

Authors: Ashley Colleen Feely Hutson and Julie Christine Kruege