What can we do for safety of women and all of us?
Aren’t Rapists afraid of the law?
The frequency and number of the rapes that are being reported all around the country is shocking and abhorrent. And these are only reported cases, innumerable go unreported.
Are the perpetrators afraid of the law? It seems not.
Research shows rape is the least of all crimes reported and only a very small percentage gets reported. And even if reported the percentage of conviction is even lower. This gives the confidence for the perpetrator that it is an easy crime. And in a country like ours, where victim blaming and shaming is the despicable norm, it is even more difficult for the survivor to seek and get the needed support, be it from police, law and even people around.
It is not just a physical violation but an intensely psychological violation too. Somewhere we need to take into account that the perpetrators or potential perpetrators believe that they can get away with it. The perpetrators filming the crime and uploading into social media and internet is a typical manifestation of this. It is deplorable that there is an audience and market for this, which shows the extent of depravity that exists in parts of our own society.
Yes, this is the current reality. What can be done about it? Can we do anything about it at all? The protests are great, it is important to show the social angst about what is happening. But has there been an adequate impact on the problem at hand? Should we just feel enraged, angry and helpless?
What is that we all can do to make this social environment better and safe for women and all of us?
1. Laws: We don’t need new laws. We need the existing laws to be strengthened, punishments to be stringent to act as a deterrent and the loopholes to be plugged. The loop holes that the perpetrators leverage to escape the legal consequences make the laws ineffective. The legal process and punishments need to be swift and stringent to also make other potential perpetrators to rethink on their ill intentions.
2. Police: The implementation of the law by police and the legal system need to be strengthened and efficient. The police need to be aware, trained and updated of the current laws, features and facilities. The need is not just to arrest the culprits but also to prove the case in court. The police force needs to be protective and sensitive towards the survivor and their family, instead of engaging in victim shaming, refusal to lodge complaints etc.
3. Society- You and Me: We as a society need to wake up from our apathy and see the reality. Not just see these incidents as sensational news to be forgotten in a few days or weeks. Our indifference to what happens around us enables a callous environment where these crimes thrive.
Ask yourself, when you see some harassment happening in front of you, do you raise a voice and stop it right there? Or think it is not happening to me and walk away? Every criminal would have a history. When earlier less violent acts go unquestioned and unpunished the person is emboldened to do more violent acts.
Take for instance the increasing levels of violence in – bullying, harassment, sexual assault, rape. When their earlier actions go unnoticed and unaddressed, they engage in the next level. It is not just Police and Law who need to address this. We – you and me and all people who are shocked, enraged and horrified by the spate of incidents can do something about it. Say something and do something to stop what’s happening in front of you in a safe manner. We can choose to take collective responsibility and take affirmative action rather than be just bystanders to what’s happening in front of us. That doesn’t mean we take the law in our own hands, and engage in a crime ourselves, but have a voice.
4. Parents: All parents who are shocked by these incidents, who want your children to be safe, you can teach your children safety. You can teach your children, both boys and girls, not just good touch and bad touch, but also teach them RESPECT and CONSENT. Teach them empathy, and social responsibility.
Domestic violence, disrespect of women in the family, gender discrimination etc though by their own are undesirable; they also lead to an apathetic and skewed society of tomorrow.
Inner Dawn counsellor Kala Balasubramanian’s views featured in Deccan Herald today 4 December 2019.