Algeria — Sexual harassment has become “normalized and socially accepted, and an inseparable part of Algerian women’s daily lives, as if public space were not their right,” according to a survey conducted by the “TBD Algeria” Association on public-space harassment.

The association presented “alarming” figures revealing the gravity of the situation: 30.6% of women experience harassment daily, 23.3% more than once a day, 28% at least once a week, 12.1% once a month, and 11% once a year.

The findings also show that harassment is not confined to “dark places” or “dangerous neighborhoods,” but occurs in public spaces accessible to all, including streets, buses, trams, taxis, trains, metro stations, ride-hailing vehicles, and university transport buses.

“TBD Algeria” reported that most women responded to harassment with freezing or immobility—a biological fear response—alongside self-blame and fear of scandal. Among 1,876 survivors, 60% experienced freezing as a nervous reaction to danger.

According to the survey, adult men were the primary perpetrators, while those under 19 accounted for only 24%. The majority of harassers were aged between 20 and 45.

The association confirmed that sexual harassment has severe consequences on victims’ lives. Some dropped out of school or quit their jobs, while others developed psychological disorders such as PTSD and depression. About 20% expressed disgust, 13.2% fear and insecurity, 9% anger, 6.3% shock, and 3% shame.

The association identified several reasons why survivors remain silent despite the crisis, including “shame” and “social stigma.” More than 85.3% of victims do not file complaints, despite existing reporting mechanisms provided by the Algerian government.

The survey concluded with a call for survivors to break the silence and report abuse, stressing that every student or worker forced to quit represents a serious loss to the country’s economy, future, and dreams.