{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1668532,
        "msgid": "from-jokes-to-trauma-its-time-to-stop-normalising-catcalling-among-teenagers-1775789450",
        "date": "2026-04-10 09:03:00",
        "title": "From Jokes to Trauma: It's Time to Stop Normalising Catcalling Among Teenagers",
        "author": "Bestari Kumala Dewi",
        "source": "KOMPAS",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Social Policy",
        "summary": "The article highlights the deep-rooted cultural normalisation of catcalling, often dismissed as mere joking, which leaves lasting psychological trauma on victims, including anxiety, low self-esteem, and even PTSD symptoms. Drawing on insights from a university counsellor, it explains how teenagers mimic such behaviours from media and adults without considering the harm, urging young people to break this cycle through personal accountability, intervention, and support for victims. By leveraging social media for education and empathy, collective action is essential to foster safer public spaces and challenge ingrained societal norms.",
        "content": "<p>In Surabaya, behind the prevalence of catcalling cases lies a more\nfundamental issue: a culture that regards it as commonplace. Many\nperpetrators hide behind the excuse of \u201cjust joking,\u201d without\nunderstanding the impact left on victims. This phenomenon does not arise\nspontaneously but is formed from social habits that are continually\npassed down. According to Esti Kurnianingsih S.Psi., M.A., a counsellor\nat the Counselling and Personal Development Centre of Petra Christian\nUniversity in Surabaya, the notion that catcalling is a joke stems from\npopular culture that has long been developing. Teenagers, who are in the\nphase of seeking identity, often imitate what they see without\nconsidering the consequences. \u201cFor teenagers, what seems fun sometimes\nhinders them from thinking further about whether this will impact the\nvictim\u2019s mental health or not, and they usually follow \u2018models\u2019 they\nsee, whether from shows or from older people doing it,\u201d said the\nUniversity of Gadjah Mada Yogyakarta alumna. \u201cUsually, perpetrators\nswitch to \u2018joking\u2019 to avoid heavy sanctions, wanting to escape\nresponsibility for their actions by making it seem light,\u201d she added.\nHowever, for victims, the experience can leave deep wounds. The impacts\ntypically include social anxiety, decreased self-esteem, and insecurity.\n\u201cThere can even be PTSD symptoms (such as memories of the event\nappearing in dreams, etc.), or perhaps self-blaming,\u201d Esti stated.\nVictims often blame themselves, from their clothing choices to their\nbody shape. Thus, this shows that catcalling is not just a momentary\ndisturbance but can affect mental health in the long term. Now, amid\nthese challenges, the younger generation has an important role in\nbreaking the chain of catcalling normalisation. Simple steps can start\nfrom oneself, not using others as the butt of jokes, daring to reprimand\nwrong actions, and providing support to victims. \u201cSecond, if you witness\ncatcalling, don\u2019t stay silent or even join in laughing; you must dare to\nsay \u2018this isn\u2019t funny, this is harassment\u2019,\u201d she continued. \u201cThird, if\nyou are a victim, dare to act firmly; realise that you are not at fault,\nbut the perpetrator\u2019s action is wrong,\u201d she added. In the current\ndigital era, social media is a highly effective tool for raising\nawareness. Just as the culture of catcalling was once learned from\nshows, efforts to educate young people through social media are also\nconsidered effective. \u201cSocial media is not just a place to share stories\nbut also a space to build empathy and education. From there, collective\nawareness can grow,\u201d Esti said. Therefore, the effort to combat\ncatcalling is not just an individual task but a collective\nresponsibility. Courage, education, and consistency are needed to change\na deeply ingrained culture. \u201cWe need to fight together to break this\nnormalisation chain; it can\u2019t be just a few people struggling. Feeling\nsafe in public spaces is a right for all of us,\u201d she concluded.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/from-jokes-to-trauma-its-time-to-stop-normalising-catcalling-among-teenagers-1775789450",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}