From Jokes to Trauma: It's Time to Stop Normalising Catcalling Among Teenagers

In Surabaya, behind the prevalence of catcalling cases lies a more fundamental issue: a culture that regards it as commonplace. Many perpetrators hide behind the excuse of “just joking,” without understanding the impact left on victims. This phenomenon does not arise spontaneously but is formed from social habits that are continually passed down. According to Esti Kurnianingsih S.Psi., M.A., a counsellor at the Counselling and Personal Development Centre of Petra Christian University in Surabaya, the notion that catcalling is a joke stems from popular culture that has long been developing. Teenagers, who are in the phase of seeking identity, often imitate what they see without considering the consequences. “For teenagers, what seems fun sometimes hinders them from thinking further about whether this will impact the victim’s mental health or not, and they usually follow ‘models’ they see, whether from shows or from older people doing it,” said the University of Gadjah Mada Yogyakarta alumna. “Usually, perpetrators switch to ‘joking’ to avoid heavy sanctions, wanting to escape responsibility for their actions by making it seem light,” she added. However, for victims, the experience can leave deep wounds. The impacts typically include social anxiety, decreased self-esteem, and insecurity. “There can even be PTSD symptoms (such as memories of the event appearing in dreams, etc.), or perhaps self-blaming,” Esti stated. Victims often blame themselves, from their clothing choices to their body shape. Thus, this shows that catcalling is not just a momentary disturbance but can affect mental health in the long term. Now, amid these challenges, the younger generation has an important role in breaking the chain of catcalling normalisation. Simple steps can start from oneself, not using others as the butt of jokes, daring to reprimand wrong actions, and providing support to victims. “Second, if you witness catcalling, don’t stay silent or even join in laughing; you must dare to say ‘this isn’t funny, this is harassment’,” she continued. “Third, if you are a victim, dare to act firmly; realise that you are not at fault, but the perpetrator’s action is wrong,” she added. In the current digital era, social media is a highly effective tool for raising awareness. Just as the culture of catcalling was once learned from shows, efforts to educate young people through social media are also considered effective. “Social media is not just a place to share stories but also a space to build empathy and education. From there, collective awareness can grow,” Esti said. Therefore, the effort to combat catcalling is not just an individual task but a collective responsibility. Courage, education, and consistency are needed to change a deeply ingrained culture. “We need to fight together to break this normalisation chain; it can’t be just a few people struggling. Feeling safe in public spaces is a right for all of us,” she concluded.