Saw this programme on ndtv hosted by Barkha that debated the issue of rape and atrocities on women. The show said that 19 out of 20 rape accused walked out free and that one out of every five victims is a child. The latest to hit headlines was the Dhaula Kuan rape case where a college student from delhi was gangraped for three hours by five men who were so sure of walking out free that they dropped her back at the same spot from where she was picked up! This despite the fact that her friend had shown the presence of mind to call up the police and give them the partial registration number she had noted. Now this was a case that got lots of attention since it took place in the Capital and therefore was close to the Home Ministry. Recently in Gujarat, there was this startling case where a 7-year-old of a poor family was raped and murdered by the accused who brutally slit her throat with a screw driver. In both the cases the police were on toes till they nabbed the accused, thanks to the local newspapers and TV channels who regularly followed it up.
In such a scenario where women are living with constant fear and insecurity in society, little does it surprise then that a young girl from a village in Madhya Pradesh castrated the accused. What other option does a woman have other than to take law in her hands? I believe rapists do what they do coz of their abnormal psyche. But what can be done to ensure no one ever dares to commit such a crime is to enforce stringent laws. That apart, victim should first register the case and then resort to the media. Media will really stand by you, protect your identity and pressurize the law enforcers to speeden up their procedures to bring culprits to book. Also, it is always safe for girls to move about in groups, especially at nights. That I believe will avert an incident like Dhaula Kuan.
And yes, one must also remember that not every case is registered with the police since most of the times parents are more worried about their standing in the society. My suggestion please don’t fear or panic coz what your child expects from you is security _ both emotional and physical. By not speaking up or not letting her speak up you are setting a wrong precedent and killing her soul thus pushing her into a world of fear and depression. So even if your little one comes and tells you , “Uncle ne mujhe yahaan
Chhua, mujhe accha nahi laga, ’’ moms, please take it seriously. Also if you come across any case of molestation please report it to a mediaperson or a women’s NGO in your city. Fight it out.