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Fighting street harassment

The movement against street harassment is turning venting into action.

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Pedestrians, like these in Adams Morgan, can face street harassment -- everything from leers and whistles to assault. Holla Back DC! is a Web site that was created for people to share their experiences of harassment on the street.

Astrid Riecken / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Sites such as Holla Back DC! have become outlets for people seeking to vent about street harassment. Since the Washington site went live in March 2009, more than 600 anecdotes have found a home there.

Sites such as Holla Back DC! have become outlets for people seeking to vent about street harassment. Since the Washington site went live in March 2009, more than 600 anecdotes have found a home there.

Astrid Riecken / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Marty Langelan teaches a self-defense class to students of the Eastern Mennonite University at the Nelson Good House in Washington. The course also offers tips on nonviolent responses to street harassment. Student Mike Moles plays the attacker as Langelan instructs the class.

Marty Langelan teaches a self-defense class to students of the Eastern Mennonite University at the Nelson Good House in Washington. The course also offers tips on nonviolent responses to street harassment. Student Mike Moles plays the attacker as Langelan instructs the class.

Astrid Riecken / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Chai Shenoy is a co-founder of Holla Back DC! She and Shannon Lynberg, Holla Back DC!'s other founder, took a self-defense class with Langelan three years ago.

Chai Shenoy is a co-founder of Holla Back DC! She and Shannon Lynberg, Holla Back DC!'s other founder, took a self-defense class with Langelan three years ago.

Astrid Riecken / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Maureen Evans Arthurs, left, and Stephen Miller join Langelan, second from left, and Brooke Applegate, right, in Columbia Heights for a community safety audit. The volunteer auditors note grafitti, dark streetlights and any incidents of harassment.

Maureen Evans Arthurs, left, and Stephen Miller join Langelan, second from left, and Brooke Applegate, right, in Columbia Heights for a community safety audit. The volunteer auditors note grafitti, dark streetlights and any incidents of harassment.

Astrid Riecken / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Langelan, left, hugs Applegate after their Columbia Heights safety audit. Langelan, who teaches awareness about street harassment, wrote 'Back Off! How to Confront and Stop Sexual Harassment and Harassers.'

Langelan, left, hugs Applegate after their Columbia Heights safety audit. Langelan, who teaches awareness about street harassment, wrote "Back Off! How to Confront and Stop Sexual Harassment and Harassers."

Astrid Riecken / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Signs note the presence of surveillance along 14th Street NW in Columbia Heights.

Signs note the presence of surveillance along 14th Street NW in Columbia Heights.

Astrid Riecken / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Maureen Evans Arthurs carefully examines her surroundings Columbia Heights during a community safety audit. Dozens of volunteers canvassed neighborhoods for data that might lead to greater safety for pedestrians, especially at night.

Maureen Evans Arthurs carefully examines her surroundings Columbia Heights during a community safety audit. Dozens of volunteers canvassed neighborhoods for data that might lead to greater safety for pedestrians, especially at night.

Astrid Riecken / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Arthurs follows Langelan through a dark alley during the safety audit, noting safety concerns such as unlighted sidewalks, accessible construction sites and broken fences.

Arthurs follows Langelan through a dark alley during the safety audit, noting safety concerns such as unlighted sidewalks, accessible construction sites and broken fences.

Astrid Riecken / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Shannon Lynberg, a founder of Holla Back DC!, walks home to her apartment in Mount Pleasant. A program manager for Empowered Women International, which helps immigrant, refugee and other women in need in Washington, Lynberg knows about the dangers of walking alone at night.

Shannon Lynberg, a founder of Holla Back DC!, walks home to her apartment in Mount Pleasant. A program manager for Empowered Women International, which helps immigrant, refugee and other women in need in Washington, Lynberg knows about the dangers of walking alone at night.

Astrid Riecken / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Lynberg says: 'I have been harassed twice on the Metro. But I love walking in the city and don't want my life to be limited because of the potential dangers.'

Lynberg says: "I have been harassed twice on the Metro. But I love walking in the city and don't want my life to be limited because of the potential dangers."

Astrid Riecken / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

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