Is it an offence to catcall a woman in the street or to insult someone because of their gender?
In short
Yes, it can be. Openly insulting someone in public because of their gender and seriously harming their dignity is an offence (level 2).
Video transcript
In the work group chat, someone insults a female colleague of yours because of her gender. It depends: Openly insulting someone in public because of their gender and seriously harming their dignity is a crime. The street and group messages also count as 'in public'. The right way: Stay away from such words and behaviour. If you're a victim or witness, report it to the police or the IGVM: 0800 12 800. Consequences (Level 2 offence): Prison: 6 months – 3 years; Or community service: 120 – 300 hours; Victim: Can claim compensation.
What is not allowed, what is required?
- Sexism is a criminal offence (seksisme / sexisme; Criminal Code art. 257). This covers openly showing contempt for someone because of their gender, treating them as inferior or reducing them to a sexual object.
- For it to be an offence, the behaviour must take place in public and must seriously harm the person's dignity. Not every rude remark counts.
- 'In public' is a broad concept: open places such as the street and public transport, any place where someone else is present besides the victim, and messages or images sent to more than one person (art. 79).
- The law protects everyone; what matters is that the person is targeted because of their gender. It can be words, gestures or behaviour.
- If you are a victim or a witness, you can go to the police. You can also report it to the Institute for the Equality of Women and Men (IGVM / IEFH) on the freephone number 0800 12 800.
Penalty and indirect consequences
- Fine / payment
- Prison is a last resort; the judge can impose another penalty, such as community service (werkstraf / peine de travail). The victim can also claim compensation.
Legal basis:FOD Justitie – Hervorming Strafwetboek
- Court / prison
- Level 2: 6 months – 3 years in prison, or 1 month – 1 year of electronic monitoring, 120 – 300 hours of community service, or 12 months – 2 years of probation.
Legal basis:Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek I, art. 36
What does this level mean? Criminal Code, level 2: 6 months – 3 years in prison or an alternative sentence. All penalty levels →
What really matters: the indirect consequences
- It may appear on your criminal record extract (uittreksel uit het strafregister / extrait de casier judiciaire); this can cause problems when you apply for jobs
Legal basis:FOD Justitie – Uittreksel strafregister + Sv. art. 595-596
- If there is touching, following or threats, other offences (for example, stalking or threats) may also apply
Legal basis:Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek II, art. 237, 231
- For serious or repeated offences, your residence permit can be revoked and your citizenship application may be affected
Legal basis:Vreemdelingenwet 15.12.1980, art. 13 §1, 21-22 + WBN, art. 15 §3
What do these terms mean?
- Criminal record
- The state register of convictions handed down by a court. The extract asked for a job, residence or nationality application comes from it. Municipal GAS fines are not entered in it.
Why does this rule exist?
Everyone should be able to go about in the street, on the bus and online without fear. Catcalling and insults drive women in particular out of public spaces. The rule protects human dignity and equality.
Where can you go?
- Free first-line legal advice and pro deo lawyerA free or low-cost lawyer if your income is low
- Justice HouseInformation and support for victims, accused people and convicted people (Justitiehuis / Maison de justice)
- Emergency112 · Police 101
- Social interpreterAt the municipality, the OCMW/CPAS, school and hospital, you can ask for an interpreter in your language; it is often free.
This site does not handle individual cases; it points you to the right service. All help addresses
Source and reliability
Official source- Source check
- 11 / 11 statements in an official source
- Checked: 22.10.2026
- Last checked
- 22.10.2026
- Rules can change
Show the 11 checked statementsopen
- Found in an official source
Seksizm tanımı ve md. 257
Strafwetboek (Wet 29.02.2024, BS 08.04.2024), Justel (bijgewerkt tot 02-04-2026), art. 257 - Found in an official source
Ciddi onur zedelenmesi şartı; seviye 2
Strafwetboek (Wet 29.02.2024, BS 08.04.2024), Justel (bijgewerkt tot 02-04-2026), art. 257 - Found in an official source
'In het openbaar' tanımı (md. 79, 22°)
Strafwetboek (Wet 29.02.2024, BS 08.04.2024), art. 79, 22° - Found in an official source
Cinsiyet-nötr ('wegens zijn geslacht'); 'gebaar of handeling'
Strafwetboek (Wet 29.02.2024, BS 08.04.2024), Justel (bijgewerkt tot 02-04-2026), art. 257 - Found in an official source
IGVM ücretsiz hat 0800 12 800 ve bildirim
Instituut voor de gelijkheid van vrouwen en mannen, ana sayfa - Found in an official source
Hapis son çaredir
FOD Justitie – Hervorming Strafwetboek - Found in an official source
Seviye 2: 6 ay–3 yıl hapis, 1 ay–1 yıl elektronik izleme, 120–300 saat çalışma, 12 ay–2 yıl probation
Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek I, art. 36 - Found in an official source
Mahkûmiyet adli sicile yansır
FOD Justitie – Uittreksel strafregister + Sv. art. 595-596 - Found in an official source
Ağır/tekrarlanan suçlarda oturum ve vatandaşlık etkisi (genel ifade)
Vreemdelingenwet 15.12.1980, art. 13 §1, 21-22 + WBN, art. 15 §3 - Found in an official source
Israrlı takip ve tehdit ayrı suçlardır
Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek II, art. 237, 231 - Found in an official source
Abartı taraması (2026-10-22): Özet 'Evet, olabilir' diyor; rules[1] 'Her kaba söz bu suça girmez' diyor. Suç herkesin önünde olma ve onurun ciddi zedelenmesi şartlarına bağlı. Başlıktaki 'laf atmak' sorusu için YASAK status'u kurallardan daha kesin.
Kaynak alıntısıyla karşılaştırma (abartı taraması)
The checked statements are in Turkish, as in the source text. This check does not replace legal advice.
General information, not legal advice. For your own situation, ask a lawyer or free legal aid. How was this information prepared?