VICTIMS of street harassment have been recording their experiences through an online blog that was launched earlier this year.

It has been five months since Hollaback! was launched in Oxford, enabling anyone who is a victim of street harassment to record their experiences.

Standing in the spot where one woman was verbally abused by a man who had to be restrained by his friends in Gloucester Green, site-founders Miranda Dobson, 26, and Alice Leigh, 24, said a worrying pattern has emerged in the stories logged on the site.

Miss Leigh said: "This story was particularly awful for the woman and the fact that he had to be restrained can be absolutely terrifying for anybody.

"What we are seeing with these stories is that the perpetrator either does not know they are causing distress or they just do not care.

"No one has the right to evade someone's free space and we need to be educating bystanders as well to recognise when someone is being harassed.

"This is not okay to make someone feel frightened or uncomfortable. It is not a compliment as some people say. A compliment is meant to make you feel good about yourself."

One Oxford resident, asked to be known as simply Rachael, shared her story to bring about awareness for 'unasked for, aggressive and frightening behaviour.'

She said: "It was useful to see my experience up there with other people's, and although it paints a nasty picture, I think it's helpful for people to show what's happening, how it upsets and scares them and actually gives people some kind of action they can take (as often there isn't any when things happen so quickly) and publicises what's happening.

"It serves as a useful prompt for bigger changes that need to happen so thanks to the Oxford team."

Miss Leigh added: "The problem also we have found is that victims are not coming forward because 'they do not want to make a fuss' or feel like what has happened to them does not really matter and is not as bad as someone else's

"But we want you to speak up because any form of harassment to anybody is wrong and not okay."

Another site user, Emily was with two friends when a stranger made comments to her in the street.

She said: "Sharing my experience with Hollaback! made me feel less alone and gave me a place to proactively channel the outrage and embarrassment I felt at being singled out and harassed in a public place.

"Reading other people's stories made me realise how pervasive street harassment is around Oxford; it was also alarming to see first-hand evidence that women are the primary targets for this behaviour.

"I feel empowered knowing that my experience counts and hasn't been diminished or ignored. I also feel hopeful that collectively we can challenge the perception that this type of unsolicited and intimidating behaviour is excusable or harmless."

Miss Dobson has encouraged more people to come forward and said the forum is open to everyone.

Oxford East MP Andrew Smith welcomed the initiative and has called on for more people to speak up about their experiences.

He added: "Any harassment, in the street or wherever it occurs, is totally unacceptable.

"We all need to do our bit to create a climate where its perpetrators are stopped.

"In a civilised society everyone should be able to be safe and feel safe."

For more information or to report an incident visit: oxford.ihollaback.org