New York City is launching a public awareness campaign aimed at curbing street harassment, with a direct message to residents: maintain unwanted comments to yourself. Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s office unveiled the initiative Wednesday, timed to coincide with the upcoming Sexual Violence Awareness Month in April. The campaign, a response to widespread reports of verbal and physical harassment experienced by New Yorkers, seeks to address what officials call a pervasive issue impacting residents across all five boroughs.
The effort isn’t simply about discouraging catcalling. It’s a broader attempt to shift the social norms around public interaction, particularly regarding unsolicited attention. Ads featuring the phrase “Unwanted attention isn’t harmless. It’s harassment” will appear on subways, ferries, sidewalks and near construction sites – locations frequently cited in reports of harassment. The campaign will also be visible in both English and Spanish, reflecting the city’s diverse population.
The initiative comes after a 2024 study by the NYC Street Harassment Prevention Advisory Board (SHPAB) revealed the extent of the problem. The study, available on the city’s website, found that 74% of New Yorkers experienced some form of verbal harassment – unwanted comments, whistles, or repeated advances – over a six-month period. 53% reported experiencing physical harassment, including being filmed, followed, or touched without consent. The full report details the findings and methodology.
“Street harassment is pervasive—it impacts New Yorkers in every borough,” Mamdani said in a statement. “And addressing it means investing in tools and resources to reduce harm and build safer communities.” The campaign will utilize a multi-pronged approach, including animated digital ads displayed approximately 12 million times on subway platforms and over 15 million times on the Staten Island Ferry. Hawkers will also distribute informational palm cards at major transit hubs, and sidewalk decals will be placed at 150 locations throughout the city.
Targeting Construction Sites and Beyond
The campaign specifically targets construction sites, where reports of harassment are particularly frequent. Posters will be displayed at 75 job sites across the city, reminding workers to maintain a respectful environment. This isn’t the first time pop culture has touched on the issue; the campaign’s announcement noted a contrast with the catcalling scene from the 1990s sitcom “The King of Queens,” suggesting a shift in societal attitudes.
Priya Nair, executive director of NYC’s Commission on Gender Equity, emphasized the impact of street harassment on daily life. “It impacts New Yorkers as they commute to work, attend school, and go about their daily lives,” Nair said. “Through this campaign…we are raising awareness of the real harms caused by street harassment and providing tools for communities to support one another.”
The Legal Framework and Funding
The campaign, costing $250,000, was developed in partnership with the city vendor Bandujo. It stems from Local Law 46 of 2022, which established the SHPAB to study street harassment and develop prevention strategies. The law mandated a focus on public awareness, training, and community engagement. The city’s Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV) is leading the effort, working alongside organizations already on the front lines of addressing gender-based violence.
While filming in public spaces is generally legal in New York City, the campaign aims to discourage “unwanted photography,” framing it as a form of harassment. The ads emphasize that unwanted attention, in any form, is not harmless and constitutes harassment.
What Constitutes Street Harassment?
Street harassment encompasses a wide range of behaviors, from verbal comments and gestures to stalking and physical assault. The SHPAB study categorized harassment into several types, including:
- Verbal harassment: Unwanted comments, whistles, shouts, or slurs.
- Non-verbal harassment: Staring, gestures, or displays of pornography.
- Physical harassment: Touching, grabbing, or blocking someone’s path.
- Cyber harassment: Unwanted online contact or the sharing of intimate images without consent.
The campaign aims to address all forms of street harassment, creating a more respectful and safe environment for all New Yorkers. Organizations like ENDGBV provide resources and support for survivors of harassment and violence.
The city plans to continue monitoring the impact of the campaign and will assess its effectiveness based on data collected through ongoing surveys and community feedback. The next update on the campaign’s progress is scheduled for release in conjunction with the publication of the SHPAB’s annual report in early 2027.
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