Stand Up. Take a Stand Against Sexual Harassment in Public Places
As part of the "Friday with Knowledge" series, the MATERIALITY team participated in the training session „Stand Up: Take a Stand Against Sexual Harassment in Public Places”, implemented by The Feminoteka Foundation as part of an international campaign conducted in partnership with L’Oréal Paris and the organization Right To Be. The goal of the initiative is to raise public awareness about sexual harassment and to equip participants with practical tools for responding to such situations.
The training was led by Kinga Karp—an anti-discrimination trainer, WenDo instructor, psychologist, and sex educator who has been involved in efforts to combat discrimination and violence for many years. Thanks to her experience, participants were able not only to better understand the scale of the problem but also to practice specific ways of responding in dangerous situations.
The meeting began with a discussion of the phenomenon of sexual harassment in public spaces. As shown by an Ipsos survey conducted for L’Oréal Paris1, 77% women in Poland have experienced harassment in public places, and 85% people believe there is not enough training on how to respond to such situations. At the same time, 31% women have turned down job opportunities out of fear of harassment in public spaces, which shows that the problem affects not only their sense of safety but also their professional and social activities.
A key element of the training was the 5D method, developed by the American organization Right To Be and used around the world. The method demonstrates that an effective response does not necessarily have to involve direct confrontation with the perpetrator. Participants learned five ways to respond:
- Distract—divert the perpetrator's attention and put an end to the situation.
- Get others involved—ask people nearby for support.
- Document the incident—gather information about it, while ensuring the safety of the injured person.
- Speak up—respond immediately if the situation allows for safe intervention.
- Offer support — show support to someone who has experienced abuse.
The training demonstrated that even small actions can help defuse a dangerous situation and support a person at risk of violence. The 5D methodology provides practical tools that help build greater self-confidence and a sense of agency, while also supporting the creation of more mindful and safer communities.
The „Stand Up. Take a Stand Against Sexual Harassment in Public Places” training sessions are free and can be conducted both in person and online, in Polish or English. Organizations interested in conducting these workshops for their employees can contact the Feminoteka Foundation directly. The project will run through the end of 2026—we encourage you to participate.
Polish 
English