By Sarah Gleason / LomaBeat.com / Feb.8, 2023
An uptick in reported catcalling incidents at Point Loma Nazarene University has led the Assistant Director of the Department of Public Safety (DPS), Kaz Trypuc, to look into the events for patterns and perpetrators. However, Trypuc is unable to say if the increase is due to either a rise in incidents or reporting of incidents.
One female PLNU student, who requested anonymity due to the fear of being targeted by the people who catcalled her, reported two catcalling incidents this semester. The first incident occurred on Jan. 12 around 5:15 p.m. The student was walking alone toward Cooper Music Hall from the Flex Apartments when a car stopped and she heard a voice say “Excuse me.”
The student stopped and saw the male perpetrator, who was in the front passenger seat traveling with other male passengers. The passenger then catcalled her and drove off. The student did not recognize any of the people in the car but thought they looked college-aged.
After the first incident, the student told her roommates and they advised her to report it. She called the DPS and, after they took her information, they said to keep reporting such incidents and to encourage friends to report as well. The student said when she shares her experience with someone, they often say they have experienced something similar.
The second incident occurred on Jan 25. The student was walking with another student when someone from a moving vehicle yelled incoherent words at them. The two students immediately called DPS.
Trypuc said that DPS is looking to identify male perpetrators. The student said the incidents have affected her sense of safety.
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{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
What do you mean by “cat-calling?”
urban dictionary: Rude sexual remarks made by men passing women on the street. Usually “cat calls” are about the woman’s body as a whole or a certain feature.
“Damn girl that ass looks fine”-Guy on the street
“Ugh, I’m so tired of cat calling!” -Woman the guy yelled at said.
One day many moons ago I was out for my morning run. A guy in a convertible pulled up next to me and said “Nice ass”. I took it as a compliment, thanked him…and kept running.
Thank you, editor dude, but I wanted to know what the story writer meant by it. Why are these women so frightened from some crude guys making comments? I don’t condone it, but this seems like an overreaction unless they said something truly threatening. And, the use of the word “perpetrator” is a bit overdone.
I agree Geoff. While I also don’t condone it, it seems a bit of an overreaction. I remember the things we did in the 70’s and 80’s as teens.
I wonder what the charge is for telling a person they have a nice posterior these days.
I’d really like to know what the one car yelled. The other yelling she wrote about was “incoherent.”
I cannot believe the editors published such a meaningless, inconsequential, complaints from one of two students at PLNU. I suppose we should arrest male students that have the audacity to smile and we should definitely lock anyone up that makes conversation and asked a female student out on a date.
This might give some perspective. I certainly don’t support the idea a young and dumb male college student having his whole future upended for being young and dumb, but things have changed and as a boomer aged straight white male, it’s not for me to say how women who get catcalled should deal with it: https://lomabeat.com/catcalling-on-campus/
Before you weigh in on what is and isn’t sexual harassment, read the article below. Women are not “overreacting”.
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/teen-mental-health-cdc-girls-sadness-violence-rcna69964?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=WUC_Tuesday&utm_term=all_users
No one used the word “overreacting” except for you. And, please show where someone weighed “in on what is and isn’t sexual harassment.” This has been a discussion, no need to throw bombs into it.
A “ discussion” ?
Sorry nor Sorry wrote “it seems a bit of an overreaction”
Yes, a discussion is where people give their opinions. If someone does not agree, then they give their opinion.
Feel free to disagree Lynn. I have college age children. A boy and a girl. I stand by what I said, I do not condone the actions of the so called offender. But I also don’t know that I would characterize “hey babe, nice ass” as sexual harassment. The article is pretty vague on what exactly is being “called”. Sometimes, hang on here, SOMETIMES, the younger generation needs to grow a little thicker skin. I have to remind my daughter of that from time to time. You may now tell me I’m a pig and berate me…..
Having said what I did above, I also am glad that I am not in my teens in this day and age.
Sorry, I don’t know how old you are but being a teen in my day, the 1960s was no picnic. I think that is true of all teens, it is rough time.
It’s been that way for all generations, but I think the difference now is the mistakes a teen might make these days can have life long consequences.
Unless they’re from wealthy families. Then a different set of rules might apply.
True to a point.
Well Geoff, I wasn’t around in the 60’s, and I wouldn’t dream of telling you what you went through in your teen years is any better than what I or anyone else went through. I can tell you though my own experiences. As a teen growing up on the poor side of town in what has been voted the “poorest city in America” several years (nope, it’s not SD), getting bullied by the bigger kids and what not, my teen years were no picnic either. I still would not want to be a teen nowadays. Not with Social Media today. It’s near impossible to get away from the drama, bullying, incessant “standards” shoved in your face at every turn.
Yes, you do have a point, at least I did not have to dal with social media. Luckily, I’m good -natured because my son and his friends love to catch this slow old man jogging, snapping a picture and having fun with it on social media. Things are easier to ignore as you get older. Like your kids.