Victims of a regressive mindset

Deepender Deswal in Hisar

THE patriarchal mindset of society comes to the rescue of most of the accused in crimes against women in Haryana — in both urban and rural areas. It conveniently puts the blame on the victims, who are usually branded ‘open-minded’, a major reason why the accused must have committed the crime. “She must have provoked the boy,” is the common refrain in any incident of crime against women.

In rural areas, the accused in most cases are usually able to hush up the matter, sometimes even with the help of panchayat members or other influential people of society usually on the pretext of ‘future of the victim’ and ‘family pride of the accused’. “The basic factor behind attempts to condone the accused in crime against women is the prevalence of the male-centric approach,” feel most women activists. Though the situation is a little better in cities, they add. “It may be because there are no panchayats in cities. The women in urban areas are more aware of the law. The families are more supportive as well,” says Om Prakash, an activist from Bhiwani. 

However, the parochial mindset  persists in urban areas, especially when it comes to crime against migrant women. “In such incidents, even the men in city put the blame on the victims for the crime,” he adds. He recalls an incident where a migrant woman was raped and she died later in Loharu town of Bhiwani. “Nobody came forward to ensure justice for her. We took up her case and eventually justice was done”. 

Shakuntla Jakhar of All India Democratic Women Association (AIDWA) says certain factors  always weigh upon the mind of the victim and her family if they decide to proceed with a criminal case. “These include social stigma attached with rape, more so if the victim is unmarried, traumatic experience in going to police station as the cops usually advise the family against filing the complaint and raise doubts whether she will be able to get justice.”

“These reasons are enough to push the victim on backfoot. The family of the accused, on the other hand, uses these in his defence. Unfortunately, the police, and even the lawyers, discourage the victim from pursuing the case,” she adds, blaming the patriarchal mindset which is strong in rural areas, but also prevalent in the urban society. However, awareness and education have brought in some difference. 

An advocate, Rajesh Jakhar, claims that the rural victims are dissuaded from seeking justice as the social pressure on them is more to remain silent while urban victims are persuaded against going ahead with complaints. “The difference is in degree while the mindset is almost similar,” admits the advocate.

Shakuntla, on the other hand, maintains that administrative and police support, or the lack of it, is a key factor in such incidents. “Obviously, the accused are in a tight spot once the victim decides to go to the police. But when the police also joins those who are trying to hush up the matter, things get difficult for the victim,” she rues. 

She recalls a case where a father was convicted for sexually harassing his daughter due to the stand taken by the victim’s mother (wife of the accused). However, when  the father returned home after completing three years’ jail term, he started harassing the mother and daughter. “We approached the authorities to transfer the mother, employed in an anganwari centre, so that she can live in peace, but the authorities have not helped in the case so far,” she adds.

The police officials, too, agree  that victims in cities are more determined to seek justice though the majority of the crimes against women are reported from rural areas. 

A law officer recalls a case where a woman was raped by an auto driver and his accomplices in December last year. It was the victim’s determination which led to conviction of the three, who were awarded life term. “Her family was not keen to pursue the case. But all credit goes to the victim, a married woman, who took the case to conclusion”, he added.

In Hisar, crimes against women have registered a significant increase as compared to last year. “Till September 17, this year 56 cases of rape and 106 cases of molestation have been registered in the district. In comparison, 45 rape cases and 58 molestation cases were registered during the corresponding period last year,” says a police personal adding that of these, around 35 per cent cases were reported in city areas while remaining 65 per cent incidents had taken place in the villages.

Some hope amid despair

What's intriguing is the paradox of rising number of sportswomen from the state winning medals in international tournaments. A large number of gold medals have been won by women athletes and players from a state, which also has the highest number of crimes against women. The irony needs to be studied at various levels.