Sexual harassment of women isn’t something that we should just accept as a part of society. The problem lies in the mentality of the society where a woman is considered inferior to men.
It lies in the thought that a man has the right to rule over the body, mind and soul of a woman – that a woman is incomplete without a man. It lies in the thought that a woman dressed “provocatively” wants to be raped.
The mentality that a man must prove his manhood by getting laid with a girl, this patriarchal mentality itself is the main cause of the increasing rape scenario.
Rape and other forms of sexual violence are understandably topics that many people find difficult to talk about. And, this reluctance to acknowledge sexual violence have destroyed lives of many women.
Here is one of the stories I came across today. The reason for sharing this story is to highlight the grim reality of our society;
“He didn’t stop them because he wanted to earn without working, and I was the only option for him. He didn’t let any other man touch me but my relatives, and he claims that with pride.”
“Why the hell didn’t you go to the police, Shruti?”
“Because when I tried doing something, I was asked how my breasts had been grabbed and I was asked to demonstrate and then…”
“And then?”
“I was asked to strip and show them the marks.”
I noticed tears rolling down her eyes.
Shruti is one of the most overexcited women I have ever come across. She is always smiling and always jumping, and always smoking. Always with no gaps.
“And then?”
“Regularly hota aya hai na. Hota gaya (Because it would happen regularly, so it kept happening). I crossed puberty. My school was very strict and I had no friends. Kisko bolti (who would I have told)? My own parents betrayed me. You think my school would have helped me?”
“Look, I am going to write for this site that’s going to publish this story. I want you to tell me everything so that we can stop another Shruti.”
She paused. Lit another smoke, gave one to me.
“I was 7 when I was raped. My mother served him tea in the very room. My dad took money from him, I was in pain. Something below my stomach was paining and I couldn’t understand anything. The next day, Mama (maternal uncle) had come over. I was so happy. He entered my room with Nutties and raped me just like Kaka did. He held my breasts really hard and then inserted his fingers inside me. The pain was unbearable.
I wanted to run away; I was crying and screaming. He penetrated something and I felt like I was dying, and then I was lying on the floor, naked. My pet, Tito, licked my head and arms and sat there, without barking. This continued. Just because they wanted to derive pleasure, I was raped by Kaka and Mama on the very same day, just before my exams. I bled for days. Eventually, I didn’t feel the pain anymore. Their penises became familiar and friendly, yet so unwanted. I was always ready with my legs spread and my clothes off. Baba and I hardly spoke then, I couldn’t tolerate them. In fact, I was pregnant and was asked to choose an abortion. Obviously!”
“How are you now?”
“I am awesome. I am getting married which was something I always wanted to avoid. A man fell in love with this torn body which has been used in every way by many men. Sex, not love. Now, I am getting the love I deserve and that makes me smile. I have left them now. I live with my friends and I am happy.”
“Why don’t you file a complaint against them?”
“I can’t. Baba is involved. Let them be. I am strong enough to stop another me, police kya karegi? Just like you are penning down and recording (my story), others will too and this will spread. Laws in this country will not help you, you can help yourself, you can help others and authorities will NOT DO ANYTHING.”
“What are your plans in the future?”
“Hahaha. I am going to complete my degree here. Get married, continue my studies abroad and then work with Raj.”
“How many babies do you want?”
“I can never have kids. I have complications. I have been raped more than 30 to 40 times. I can never have babies, but I want to adopt as many dogs and cats as possible and live… happily.”
How will the society justify this?
