Sexual violence is a major problem faced by women and girls in India. Even men and children have not been able to escape from it. In the state of Nagaland there have been incidents of sexual violence which have been reported in the media. It is already a challenge for survivors to obtain justice in the Indian legal system, and those from the country’s marginalized communities face even greater barriers.
A TALE OF AN IGNORANT SOCIETY
Our society has become a hub of educated people who are well versed in everything and yet are a bundle of oblivious people. It’s not a taboo or a secretive topic to the mass about sexual abuse anymore but the masses turn a blind eye when the topic of sexual abuse is put on the table for discussion.
In recent times, news of rapes, sexual assaults has been widely acknowledged to be occurring quite often with victims breaking the chains of silence and reporting it to the law enforcement agencies. Many mixed and clear responses have been received on this issue wherein, some have appreciated the courage of the victims while some reacted by acting like the three monkeys of Mohandas Gandhi.
According to the World Health Organization (2013), sexual violence had been described as a global health problem on an epidemic scale. Women, men and also children are victims of sexual abuse. Sexual abuse is not restricted to only physical abuse; it can be done verbally, virtually. The psychological trauma and disturbance that a victim faces are irreparable. The people who are victims of sexual violence and abuse are often wrapped in fear. Many a time a person can be a victim of sexual abuse without him/her being aware of it and later on when reality hits them they think that it’s too late to talk about it because it’s in the past.
According to the recently released National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) data, 32,608 cases were reported in 2017 while 39,827 cases were reported in 2018 under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO). On 18th April 2021 (The Print) released a confession of a male sex abuse survivor who stated “Sexual abuse is no less than an epidemic, and it needs the attention of lawmakers and people in this country.” The lack of information in our patriarchal society about men’s sexual abuse makes other male victims stay silent.
The lack of education and communication on sexual violence is the root cause of the increasing sexual abuse reports. The limited view of society regarding sexual violence and also the lack of understanding surrounding the trauma and harm after experiencing it should be addressed. The lack of awareness of it in this so-called ‘modern’ society is a shame for the people of the society.
Our society functions in such a way that everyone is aware of what is going around us but remains silent until it does not affect their own. Indeed our security is undermined by such activities, which are unmistakable worries to everybody and a concern for the masses.
In present time India, society often still shifts blame onto survivors, shaming a survivor and her family into silence. This is especially true among those who are already marginalized within Indian society, leaving them particularly vulnerable to sexual violence. This culture of shame follows survivors into law enforcement, the court system, and hospitals, further silencing survivors’ voices. The shunning of survivors has made the violators more confident in their shameless acts. Hence, the cycle of sexual abuse continues in the Indian society with no positive change towards a safe society for women, men and children from sexual predators.
In India, society plays a very important role in shaping the futuristic country where peace and harmony will prevail, hope for better living standards, a prosperous economy, and powerful defense settlement in the coming years. But will society be “peaceful and harmonious” without addressing the problems in the system of our society? It is important to know, learn and accept the ugly truths of our society and work together to eradicate the flaws of it.
In conclusion, the ignorance and fear that exists in our society has encouraged the sexual predators to do their heinous acts shamelessly without any regrets or remorse and discouraged the victims to voice out what is right and just. The myths and taboo surrounding the topic has created fear among the innocent folks.
The time has come for all of us to encourage our women to raise their voices. We need #MeToo movement in our Nagaland too-for women, men and children. We sure have social equality sans political equality for women in our society, however, are women truly safe here? Have our women never faced incidents of sexual violence or sexually colored/uncomfortable touches? Or they were asked to just “SHUT UP”? How many molestation/eve-teasing/rape cases have been filed so far? How many perpetrators have been arrested and put to justice? There are many questions that are enough to disturb right-thinking citizens of our state and country. Sexual violence against children also poses major questions to our conscience. Cases of forced sexual attacks against men by women have also been coming out on the surface, whether any FIR registered? Whether the accused is punished by the Justice delivery system?
We are not living in a complex time and circumstances, but we are living a dark shadow of an alternate reality of our society that boasts of “Gender Equality”; where our voices are muffled- by perpetrators and also by our family, community and society. We- as women are taught to shut our mouths if our dignity is violated by men. IF we are taught and forced to hide our ‘pain’ and ‘cry’; where is the JUSTICE then? Are we condemned forever to live with trauma and painful memories of sexual violence? SOCIETY, FAMILY MEMBERS, LEADERS AND ELDERS SHOULD ANSWER.
Degree of Thought is a weekly community column initiated by Tetso College in partnership with The Morung Express. Degree of Thought will delve into the social, cultural, political and educational issues around us. The views expressed here do not reflect the opinion of the institution. Tetso College is a NAAC Accredited UGC recognised Commerce and Arts College. The editors are Dr Hewasa Lorin, Dr. Aniruddha Babar, Aienla A, Rinsit B Sareo, Meren Lemtur and Kvulo Lorin.
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