A young Cuban woman, identified as Daine, took to Instagram to share a distressing experience she endured on G Street in Havana. In her video, she recounted how a man threw two stones at her to grab her attention while engaging in lewd behavior. The incident occurred in the tree-lined area adjacent to the monument of José Miguel Gómez and near Calixto García Hospital.
"As a woman, you're at risk no matter the time or place. I made this video because I genuinely hope others don't have to go through what I did," expressed Daine in her post. On the verge of tears, she showed the injury on her hand caused by the first stone that the assailant hurled at her.
Despite not sustaining serious injuries, Daine emphasized that such incidents are unacceptable, urging caution for those traversing the area. The comments section of her post was flooded with responses, predominantly from women, affirming that similar attacks have been reported in that location for many years.
"Just a few days ago, I walked by on my way to the hospital and saw that man," one user noted. Another added, "They've been there for years; they change, I suppose. I attended the University of Havana from 2013 to 2018, and it was always necessary to be careful passing through there." Several commenters highlighted the lack of action taken to resolve this long-standing issue.
Many comments not only showed solidarity with Daine but also underscored the persistent lack of security and the ongoing threat women face on Cuban streets. "Tragically, harassment of women is completely normalized in Cuba, and one can't even complain because nothing is done," wrote another woman. "There is no law protecting women in Cuba from this phenomenon; this behavior is entirely normalized here."
Another person shared that when they reported these harassers to the police, the response was disappointing: "Once, some friends and I informed a police officer, and he told us to just ignore it." Others suggested more proactive measures: "What's needed is to identify him so he can be arrested"; "We need to catch him in the act and wait for him to show up," some users proposed.
For decades, incidents of exhibitionism, like the one described, have been commonplace across the country, especially in parks, bus stops, and secluded areas, where offenders exploit the lack of police presence to engage in such acts. However, this particular case is alarming due to the aggressive nature of the assault, with the perpetrator throwing stones to get the victim's attention, adding a dangerous element to the encounter.
Despite widespread public outrage and the fear these incidents incite, many victims have long refrained from formally reporting them due to a lack of trust in the authorities and the minimal follow-up such cases typically receive.
Addressing Sexual Harassment in Cuba
What actions can be taken to improve women's safety in Cuba?
Improving women's safety in Cuba requires comprehensive measures, including stricter laws against harassment, increased police presence in vulnerable areas, and public awareness campaigns to change societal attitudes towards gender-based violence.
Why do many victims choose not to report harassment incidents?
Victims often do not report harassment due to a lack of confidence in law enforcement, fear of not being taken seriously, and the normalization of such behavior in society, which discourages formal complaints.