Women, kids no more safe on Bengaluru streets

Bengaluru: Nirmal Raibole, who works in a well-known IT firm in Whitefield, was petrified when she saw a man making indecent gestures when she was heading to her office cab at 7 am. “For the next three days, I was scared to even come out of my room. It had a deep impact on my mind,” she said.

Recently, a group of parents from a well-known school in central Bengaluru complained to the women’s helpline that a man was flashing before the students. High Grounds policemen, who were in disguise, managed to nab the accused.

Such cases of harassment to the public, especially vulnerable sections like women and children, have been increasing on the city streets, but hardly any complaints are filed with agencies concerned. Only 10 percent of the cases are reported, while the rest are not traceable, said members of the women’s helpline – Vanitha Sahayavani.

Ms Rani Shetty, coordinator of Vanitha Sahayavani, said, “Eveteasing, indecent sexual behaviour and exposing private parts at public places are rampant in the city. Near the school, the police could nab the accused as he visited the spot frequently. We know that such incidents are on the rise, but we receive very few complaints as most of the victims are too terrified to report them or tend to ignore them assuming them to be isolated cases. Women face various forms of harassment on the street, but they should not feel dejected or depressed. They should raise an alarm and filing complaints.”

Many a time, friends and relatives discourage the victims from filing a complaint cases and ask them to ignore such incidents.

Ms Rashmi K., who commutes by BMTC, said, “Such harassment is prevalent at bus-stands. I have raised my voice many a time. But we don’t consider such issues critical and do not take them as seriously as other crimes. Even the police ask you to ignore it. When faced with such a situation, one should ask passersby and friends to intervene.”

City psychologists said that men who indulge in such activities feel a sense of achievement, pleasure or superiority by doing so. In some cases, they are proved to be mentally ill as well.