Slut Shaming And Victim Blaming Needs To Go, Says Social Media

I believe by now almost everyone who is even vaguely aware of news in the country must’ve seen the video where this lady is asking male diners at a restaurant to ‘rape’ a young girl because apparently she is wearing a revealing dress. Some needs to drill some sense into her that rape is a socio-psychopathic sickness. It cannot and should not be blamed on the victim. Period.

The lady's comment embodies the opinion of almost everyone who has told a girl ever since she gains consciousness to sit in a certain way, stand in a certain way, talk in a certain way, walk in a certain way. A girl in this country is spared by no one – not even her parents. Her conduct is apparently everyone’s business – how she dresses, where she goes, who she meets – all her choices are always questioned. The worst part is that whatever she does, she can’t be right. And this video clearly shows how women themselves are so judgemental about other women and bring them down at every step.

Some needs to drill some sense into her that rape is a socio-psychopathic sickness. It cannot and should not be blamed on the victim. Period.

And when your own mother, mother-in-law, that neighbourhood aunty, your relatives, friends, colleagues do that, you tend to question yourself, don’t you? A girl’s sense of self-worth is always questioned, hence she ends up leading a submissive, under- confident, unhappy life, existing only to please those around her. But that too never happens as the expectations from a girl just keep growing exponentially.

Despite this patriarchal mind-set being deeply ingrained, I was happy to see some strong responses against this over social media.

Let us see what most people have to say about this woman.

Natasha Sequeira says ‘I KNOW! I am appalled. And she showed no remorse when confronted!’ Adding, ‘One girl mentioned the same in the video. Babies aren’t spared. To this she retorted that they are psychos! So then why slut shame?’

Swati Alok Atreya retorted that she watched the whole video........It's really blood boiling! Sick lady!

Anwee Mazumder said, ‘She is a sick lady indeed. Short skirt? What about burkha clad girls? Doesn't she know even burkha clad girls become a victim? Is she gonna congratulate those rapists as well?’

Natasha Singh Varshneya went on to say that ‘She’s obnoxious! Definitely has some kind of major mental disorder!!’

This kind of thought process is what perpetrates patriarchy and increases the issues which women face even more. These can be found in different shades, throughout rural India.- Umakant Vaishnav

Lavanya Tagra Goel was of the opinion that, ‘You know, I would have been livid if I heard her say those words too....BUT the way the girls got to her and that wonderful lady in black....gives me enough hope for my daughter.

This breed of people should be served and wiped out under POSCO and nothing less. Can’t believe people can’t appreciate beauty and just think of us as meat.’

Rushati Ghosh stood up against patriarchy when he said ‘She’s a disgrace! If I were Thanos, I would have wiped out the likes of such elements.’

Umakant Vaishnav made some pertinent points when he said, ‘This kind of thought process is what perpetrates patriarchy and increases the issues which women face even more. These can be found in different shades, throughout rural India."

Mangala Shailesh asserted, ‘Horrible people, don't know how they can talk such nonsense.’

Nupur Agarwal Kalra affirms that ‘This is shameful to a next level...can't believe these kind of people exist.’

Vikas Kandoi says ‘If these words say by a woman it’s really shameful.’

Kenneth Augustine went on to say ‘This is why I get upset when adults decide to correct other people's kids.’

Neha Srivastava retorted, ‘That’s true! Nothing is more irritating than moral policing.’

These girls must approach the right authorities with the CCTV proof and demand justice.

Public memory is short, and this news will disappear in the next few days. Then what? The patriarchal mind set remains. And the next time a girl steps out in what she is comfortable wearing, some so-called well-meaning woman will spout such diplorable comments again. She may brave it and walk away, only to be eve-teased further. Worse, someone caresses her thigh and walks off. And she will continue to remain quiet.

These girls must approach the right authorities with the CCTV proof and demand justice. In fact, the law makers should have already taken action under suo motu cognizance given that this news is all over social media. Fair trial against whoever is wrong must be done, and justice must be served. Only then will such an incident not occur again.

Also Read: Kalank Has Strong And Nuanced Female Characters

Surbhi Rastogi is the Community and Outreach Editor at SheThePeople.TV. The views expressed are the author’s own.