A recent survey of 1,000 Belgian women conducted by the global initiative Stand Up Against Street Harassment reveals that at least 83% of women have encountered street harassment.

Respondents advocate for stronger penalties for offenders.

In 2012, the documentary "Femme de la rue" brought attention to the issue of street harassment in Brussels. While the government introduced measures under the Sexism Act following this, documentary filmmaker Sofie Peeters, representing the non-profit organization Blijf Van Mijn Lijf (Hands Off My Body), argues that these actions have been insufficient.

Although Brussels imposes fines of 250 euros for street harassment, they are primarily enforced against those who insult the police. Even with the Sexism Act extending punishment for street harassment across Belgium in 2014, Blijf Van Mijn Lijf raises doubts about its actual application.

Underreported incidents have been highlighted by the Institute for the Equality of Women, which noted that the sexism law isn't widely known or enforced by law enforcement and the judiciary.

The organization stated, "Police, rarely facing this kind of crime, hesitate to file official reports," adding that victims often struggle to provide evidence and aren't aware that sexism is punishable.

The survey indicates that while only half of the victims report incidents to the police, a fifth of Belgian women and a third in Brussels have experienced being followed on the streets. Consequently, nine out of 10 women avoid specific places or times, change their attire, or contact someone for safety measures. This figure escalates to 97% for those under 34.

Sofie Peeters emphasized, "These staggering figures underscore the immediate necessity for targeted interventions and unified efforts to establish a more secure and respectful public environment for women. Everyone deserves the freedom to move without fear." Photo by Edith Castro Roldán, Oscar Manuel Luna Nieto, Wikimedia commons.