Filming to Humiliate Women: The Disturbing Szon Patrol Phenomenon in Poland

In Poland, a movement named “Szon Patrol” (literally “prostitutes’ patrol”) has recently emerged. It isn’t an official troupe, but a collective of individuals, mostly young men, sometimes accompanied by young women. They roam streets to “bear witness” against outfits they deem too provocative on women.
Clad in yellow vests bearing the label “Szon Patrol,” these members film passersby without their knowledge. Then, they share their videos on social networks, exposing them to public criticism. This behavior, a blend of street harassment and moral policing, isn’t a joke anymore. It has become a worrying trend, amplified by likes, shares, and the visibility that TikTok provides.
This phenomenon coincides with a rise in conservative and masculinist discourses. Sociologists note that, in a climate of identity anxiety, some people retreat to traditional gender models. Specifically, it’s the idea that women should dress “properly,” behave with restraint, etc. As for social media, they allow these behaviors to reach larger audiences and gain legitimacy…

What the “Szon Patrol” movement reveals

The Szon Patrol is far more than a mere internet fad. It reveals a reality: in certain circles, controlling how women dress has become a tool of social regulation again. When these patrols decide a woman’s outfit is “too provocative,” they claim the right to film her, judge her, and stigmatize her. This is active slut-shaming in practice.
What’s striking is the scale of this phenomenon. Interactions with these contents are numerous. Between early August and early September, over one hundred thousand people engaged with them in Poland. Those figures show it isn’t a fleeting buzz. Some sociologists see it as a return to retrograde values… even a nostalgia for a stricter moral order.

Responses, Resistance, and Ethical Implications Behind This Movement

The movement “Schön Patrol” is a direct answer to this. Started by three journalists, this counter-movement leans into poetry and gentleness. They hand out flowers to passersby, symbolize respect and acceptance. Their action shows that one can occupy public space without humiliating or judging others. It’s a soft resistance, but one that carries strong messages.
From a legal and ethical standpoint, it raises questions about individuals’ rights to privacy, to dignity—that is, not being filmed without consent, and especially not being judged for appearance. Street harassment, whether verbal, visual, or filmed, has tangible effects on women’s freedom to move, to dress, to exist publicly. Moreover, when minors get involved, heavy questions arise: What image of womanhood are they being taught? What are the lessons about morality and shame?

The “Szon Patrol” phenomenon isn’t merely a sad viral episode. It’s a sign that debates about identity, gender, and dress codes remain alive. And that with social networks, retrograde ideas can quickly move from embarrassing memes to nearly normative public practices. Clothing should never become a verdict or an invitation to shame.