How do I identify this behaviour?

Identifying Misogyny

Do you know what misogyny is or how to spot someone who is behaving as a misogynist?

This could be:

  • Focussing all their attention on one woman, even after she makes it clear she’s not interested. He might also be rude and belittle them.
  • When someone is either  controlling in terms of what a woman can or cannot do, or completely dismissive of their wants, thoughts and opinions.
  • Not respecting women in roles of authority or speaking from a place of knowledge. They will often undermine women, ignore their opinion or believe themselves to have more expertise in a subject just because they are a man. 
  • Finding a way to blame women for their problems.
  • Someone who objectifies women. They may speak sexually about them, catcall, wolf whistle at them - and see nothing wrong with this behaviour.
  • Having very strong ideas about gender roles and feel women should conform to them. 
  • Making sexist demeaning comments to friends or other people about women. 
  • Having double standards and treating women unfairly because of their gender, such as judging women for their body count despite sleeping with the same amount of people.

The belief that men are generally better than women is the definition of misogyny. If you, a friend, or a stranger is exhibiting any of these behaviours – it's misogynistic. To learn how to challenge this behaviour, visit ‘How can I talk to someone about their behaviour?’ or ‘How can I help someone in need?’. By calling out misogyny, you can challenge these sexist beliefs and encourage men to treat women as equals. Together, we can make Cambridgeshire a safer space.

KNOW Misogyny

Mind map explaining some examples of misogynistic behaviours.

  1. These include catcalling, shown with an illustration of a megaphone.
  2. Use of familiar nicknames, with speech bubbles exclaiming the words 'babes' and 'darling'.
  3. Unwanted attention from drivers whilst out, with an illustration showing a man driving a green car honking at a woman running past who's wearing a yellow vest, green shorts and red trainers.
  4. Unsolicited comments about appearance or clothing, with a pulled quote which reads: "You're really filling out that top."

We understand this is a very complex issue and have categorised these examples in the way we felt most appropriate.

Please note this is not an extensive list. Includes the KNOW Violence Against Women logo.

Identifying Harassment

Could you spot harassment if you saw it? Harassment is not usually an isolated incident. Usually, perpetrators will attack or harass a number of times, often acting alone or with encouragement from a group of friends. It’s important to step in if you feel confident enough to do so and stop it this behaviour. Harassment may look like:

  • Demanding a woman to do something when she has already said no or has asked to be left alone
  • Commenting on a woman’s appearance, such as making comments about her clothes or her body either to her face, to your friends, or just out loud in a public area
  • Following a woman after she has already turned you down, or even just trying to follow a complete stranger home or to their destination
  • Carrying on jokes after she has told you it isn’t funny, or it’s upsetting her
  • Pestering someone for their personal information like their name or phone number

These are all types of harassment taking place in Cambridgeshire. To learn how to combat this behaviour, visit: ‘How can I talk to someone about their behaviour?’ or ‘How can I help someone in need?’. By calling out harassment, you can challenge these sexist beliefs and encourage men to treat women as equals. Together, we can make Cambridgeshire a safer space.

KNOW Harassment

Mind map explaining some examples of harassment behaviours.

  1. Verbal abuse, with a graphic in the shape of a mouth that says "You'd be prettier if you smiled more".
  2. Persistent attempts at unwanted conversation, shown with an illustration of a mobile phone, in a text message display. Text conversations on the phone screen read: "I'd love to see you naked.", "Why don't you reply?" from a male user, no reply from the user at the other end.
  3. Controlling or coercive behaviour, with a graphic that says "I'm doing you a favour".
  4. Following or stalking, including some images of footprints.

We understand this is a very complex issue and have categorised these examples in the way we felt most appropriate. Please note this is not an extensive list.

Includes the KNOW Violence Against Women logo.

Identifying Sexual Violence

Sexual violence doesn’t have to be physical. Sexual violence can be defined as any unwanted sexual contact which can happen on the phone, in text messages, online, via email, or in person. This could be:

  • Sending unsolicited explicit photos
  • Making sexual jokes
  • Unwanted sexual advances and flirting, even after she has told you to stop
  • Upskirting
  • Taking photos without someone’s consent
  • Forcing someone to kiss you
  • Sexual assault
  • Rape

You may think some of these behaviours are minor, but sexual violence can take many forms and each one can be damaging to its potential victim. This kind of behaviour can have long lasting effects for women and girls, and very real life-changing consequences for the men who commit this violence. To learn how to combat this behaviour, visit ‘How can I talk to someone about their behaviour?’ or ‘How can I help someone in need?’. By calling out sexual violence, you can help create a safer space for women and girls in Cambridgeshire.

KNOW Sexual Violence

Mind map explaining some examples of sexual violence behaviours.

  1. Unsolicited sexual or physical contact, shown with a simple illustration of a hand reaching to pinch a bum.
  2. Threats of rape, with a text example that reads: "You don't want sex tonight? If I want it, we're having it. You don't have a choice."
  3. Rape, with a simple illustration of hand grappling another person's wrist in a forceful way.
  4. Asking invasive or personal questions about sex, sex life, or sexual orientation. An image is displayed in a poster-type design which reads: "do I make you wet?"

We understand this is a very complex issue and have categorised these examples in the way we felt most appropriate. Please note this is not an extensive list.

Includes the KNOW Violence Against Women logo.