Hannah Farias was just walking down the street, minding her own business, when all of a sudden she heard a whistle. She turned around and someone called out, “Hey Baby!”

Farias, an advertising senior at Loyola, was a victim of street harassment, something over 65 percent of women and 25 percent of men experience, according to a national survey conducted by Stop Street Harassment.

Farias said this wasn’t new for her. Men have called out to her and followed her for blocks.

As a victim of street harassment, there are a few things Farias could do. She could confront the person who may be dangerous, she could ignore it or she could join the Hollaback movement.

Hollaback, which started in New York, is a non-profit movement that aims to end street harassment. Hollaback branches exist in 25 countries and 84 cities. The city of New Orleans was finally added to the list last December.

According to Hollaback’s mission statement, street harassment is a form of sexual harassment that takes place in public spaces. They claim that at its core, street harassment is a power dynamic that constantly reminds historically subordinated groups of their vulnerability to assault in public places.

On the Hollaback New Orleans website, victims can read and share stories and find helpful resources, events and ways to get involved.

After being harassed one time too many, New Orleans resident Vanessa Smith decided she had finally had enough.

One of Smith’s friends started a Hollaback branch in Boston, so she decided it was time to stop being a victim and do something.

With four core site leaders in total, Smith launched Hollaback New Orleans.

“We’ve shared stories of harassment with each other, and I asked if this was something they wanted to help me with. They jumped at the chance,” Smith said.

Hollaback is not just for women.

Nathan Winner first got involved with Hollaback New Orleans after posting an article about street harassment on his Facebook. One of the site leaders saw the post and asked if he wanted to join their team.

When asked, as a male, what he thought about cat calling, Winner said it’s insulting and degrading.

Winner isn’t just helping out with the movement. He has also been a victim of harassment, having been cat called by a male and groped by a female.

“I was just so flustered and didn’t know what to do or how to react,” Winner said.

Smith said she feels that Hollaback New Orleans is a good outlet for people who have been victims or just want to help out.

“It’s a way for you to respond to harassers,” Smith said.

The Hollaback New Orleans branch has online maps where people can see where and how often harassment occurs. Smith hopes the New Orleans branch will help raise awareness for street harassment and its victims.

Smith said that to “hollaback” is to not accept this harassment as our reality.