R.A.P.E

(TW: Sexual harassment and rape)

"She was asking for it."

"Boys will be boys"

"When rape is inevitable, lie down and enjoy it."

"Boys and girls should be married early to curb rape incidents"

Blame everyone, except the perpetrators. Don't blame the inefficient law forces. Don't blame the perverts who dared lay their filthy hands on someone.

Take the history of rape cases in India and you'll understand that not even bhagwan ke ghar (abode of Gods) are safe for women anymore. Women are constantly beraded for not covering themselves properly, for going out at "dangerous hours", for not being cultured enough.

The 2012 horrific Delhi gang-rape and murder, commonly known as the Nirbhaya Case shook the entire nation on its foundations. A brave 22-year old, with dreams and aspirations of her own was silenced, brutally tortured and murdered. The landmark case was the beginning of many new amendments and changes in the way law dealt with rape victims. Delhi was marked as one of the most dangerous cities for women globally. The case opened discussions and conversations related to sexual assaults and brought forward victims and their stories. Fast-track courts were put in place to deal with rape cases in a more time-efficient manner. Yet the convicted weren't hanged up until 2020, almost 8 years later.

Rape cases aren't limited to Delhi though. According to various reports and data published by NCRB, we see hundreds of cases being reported from different regions around the country. From Delhi to Kathua to Hathras, such heinous crimes are everywhere. Over a decade has passed since the landmark Nirbhaya case and despite the various promises and resolutions put out by politicians and officials, it's time to consider whether things have actually improved or not.

March 2024 saw the gang-rape of a Spanish tourist, who was camping with her husband in the Dumka district of Jharkhand. March 1. This happened not long ago. After the case caught widespread attention, many foreign tourists came forward with their own stories of being groped, assaulted and harassed during their stay in India. A country that takes pride in its spirituality and culture, has also become a home to such unspeakable and painful incidents.

Despite so many cases and incidents, we fail to understand the root of this issue. We have failed to address the issue in a long-term manner. Even now, we treat these cases as isolated incidents that happen once in a while.

Rape cases shouldn't be treated as isolated events. They must be seen as a part of a greater problem that plagues our society - A problem of patriarchy, of taboo surrounding the topic, of the culture that has developed around the issue. This isn't something that can be dealt with a single speech or a time-bound campaign. It needs restructuring of the society, re-education, raising awareness and removing the taboo surrounding rape and sex. A large number of cases go unnoticed - due to victims being silenced by either his/her own family or the society.

Victim blaming deters them from coming forward, which further empowers the perpetrator to carry on with his/her own actions.

More often than not, women are questioned and harangued about their late-night activities and strolls. It's their sexual activities and thoughts and words that are put under constant scrutiny. Men are asked to just "enjoy" the activity and male victims are still not taken seriously.

Our politicians joking about such a serious offense openly isn't helping the issue either. Comments that ask victims to "just enjoy it" or blame them altogether for the crime further worsens the issue.

The movie Pink, starring Tabu and Amitabh Bachchan eloquently portrays how victims often are scrutinized and subject to immense mental pressure and torture in such a scenario. 'No means no' is still a statement that a lot of people don't understand and the movie showcases the struggles that a victim has to endure on his/her way to justice. If any of you reading this post hasn't watched the movie, it's a really good watch - And the cast has done a brilliant job of accurately putting out the message. The movie also shows how sexual violence is often justified by toxic stereotypes pertaining to certain social groups and sections of the society. Andrea, one of the main character's friends, is a prime example of how being considered an "outsider" makes you susceptible to further harassment.

"Pink is a savage indictment of our sordid patriarchy that shackles women in stereotypes."

- Film Companion

Men are suffering, women are suffering. Patriarchy isn't offering respite OR an advantage to any group. It's destroying all of them, draining them, suffocating them in its narrow notions of gender and roles.

Understanding the different dimensions and nuances of this issue is critical in addressing it effectively, and it's something that often doesn't happen with the above discussed issues. It's high time that we realize that it isn't a gender-specific problem. It's a societal issue, an evil that must be collectively addressed. It's a dark, ugly stain on the rich and diverse traditions and culture that our nation harbours.