The recent news surrounding a student rape case and the subsequent remarks by a prominent political leader, suggesting that "Girls have to protect themselves" and questioning why the victim was out late, fills me with profound dismay. It’s a disheartening echo of a narrative that, regrettably, we still hear far too often "Girls have to protect themselves": Mamata's shocker in student rape case; asks why she was out late.
Such statements, rather than addressing the core issue of violence and accountability, unfortunately shift the burden onto the victims themselves. They imply that a person's presence in a particular place at a certain time somehow justifies or invites harm. This perspective is not only deeply flawed but actively hinders any meaningful progress towards creating a truly safe society. It perpetuates a culture where systemic failures are overlooked, and the responsibility for preventing crime is unfairly placed on those who are vulnerable, instead of on perpetrators and the societal structures meant to protect all citizens.
In my reflections over the years, I've often spoken about the reluctance of many to voice their concerns about critical social issues, as I did in my blog, "Citizen Monologues." I observed that people often feel, "What’s the use of speaking up? Who listens/reads/cares?" But it is precisely in moments like these, when public discourse veers towards victim-blaming, that it becomes paramount for responsible voices to speak out. I highlighted then that "giving up all hope is easy; to persist/persevere is quite difficult," and I chose the difficult path. This current situation underscores how vital that persistence is, and how crucial it is for leaders to foster a climate of safety and accountability, not one that shifts blame. The silence that often follows such statements only entrenches these harmful narratives further.
Our focus should always be on strengthening safety mechanisms, ensuring robust law enforcement, and fostering a societal environment where perpetrators are held swiftly and unequivocally accountable. Every individual, regardless of gender or the hour, deserves the fundamental right to move freely and safely in their own community without fear. It is the responsibility of society, and especially its leaders, to champion this protection, not to question the choices of those who fall victim to crime.
Regards,
Hemen Parekh
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