Monday, December 21, 2015

Know your rights and survive

It is said that if you do not speak up and in support of your neighbor when he is being subjected to a crime then you are next in queue so be ready to be subjected to the same treatment.
However when it comes to an act of Sexual violence the victim seldom speaks up. She invariably keeps mum and this silence lets the offender get away scot free.
So
1) Speak up and report the incident for it is not just a crime against an individual but against society at large. It is wrong to have been subjected to such an act and equally wrong to keep mum.
I know that people gossip, they also point fingers but then there are those who would stand in your support. Take the incident of the Nirbhaya rape case it united not just the entire city but the entire country in support of the victim and against the offender.
Public opinion is changing and help and support can be extended only to those who ask for it.
Take for instance the law about sexual violence has been modified to make it easier for the victim to file a complaint.

As against earlier times when a victim of sexual violence had to visit the police station that was the closest to where the offense occurred, now a days she can have a FIR lodged by visiting any police station she chooses. She can also use email or call up to report the matter.
On her behalf and with her consent , a friend ,a witness or a member of the family can also file a complaint. In such cases she would need to visit the police station and lodge the FIR later.
2)

Hiding a crime and not speaking up is an offense akin to supporting a criminal. By doing so you are only encouraging the criminal to repeat the crime and they become fearless that no action would be taken. Even the victim is always under risk of becoming a repeat victim of the crime. So it is important to register a complaint with the authorities and initiate legal action.
3) By taking legal action you are not just helping nab a criminal but also protecting other women from becoming victim to the same offender.
It mobilizes public opinion in favor of the victim and against the offenders. Every time an offender is nabbed and punished it breaks the morale of other offenders and future would be delinquents. It instills a fear of the law and makes the streets and the cities a bit more safer for every women and girls out there.
May the torch of knowledge be always be with you and keep giving you the strength to protect yourself from any harm that may be lurking out there.

“I’m writing this blog post to support Amnesty International’s #KnowYourRights campaign at BlogAdda. You can also contribute to the cause by donating or spreading the word.”

We are all with you



Women of all ages have been subjected to sexual abuse and sexual violence. They have been victimized by men of all ages. Young girls especially tender young  girls are the most susceptible victims and even they are not spared from the humiliating experience of sexual violence. The violence often takes a tragic turn resulting in grievous injuries and also death. They are too innocent to understand the nature and enormity of the crime of which they are the victim. The offenders in these cases are often the neighbors, people known to them or even complete strangers. This makes it very important for the mothers to keep a sharp eye on their young ones. They can educate them not to allow strangers or people known to them to touch them inappropriately. In case of such an incident taking place they should immediately bring it to the knowledge of the mother who in turn should
report it to the police. If this is not done then there is a great chance the girl may be subjected to sexual abuse again and again. Usually such offenders threaten the young girls of further physical harm if they report the incident to their parents. They should be assured that confiding of such acts would protect them from further victimization.
The next lot to suffer is the girls of school and college going age. They when subjected to sexual abuse and violence keep silent fearing disgrace and shame and are afraid that they would become an outcast in the society. They should not keep silent due to fear  but report the matter at once without delay to their mother and family so that they in turn can report the crime to the police and also file a FIR to prevent the offender from repeating his shameful acts.
Women of any other age are not spared from this humiliation of sexual abuse and violence. There was a time when the victims had no support and could not confide in anybody.Today this has changed with law coming to protect the victims of such acts.Now
It has become very easy to report such crimes of sexual violence and abuse at the nearest police station and the presence of a lady police officer gives them the support and confidence to narrate. This reporting can be done by even a parent a friend or a witness.There is the option of reporting either in person or via phone and email.The women today are assured that they can report such crimes and expect legal aid to fight their cases.Today they have the assurance that they will get justice and bring the offender before the law. It is imperative that the women should not keep quiet but speak up for getting justice.This will not only protect the innocent children and girls and this will also result in other victims to come forward and report such offenses to get deliverance from such people and get justice.
Amnesty International has launched the #KnowYourRights campaign, which is a people’s rights educational program aimed at informing people of their basic rights via free educational modules on digital and physical media because knowing one’s rights gives one the confidence to take action. This will act as a morale booster and give women the power to protect themselves and if victimized then appeal for justice.



“I’m writing this blog post to support Amnesty International’s #KnowYourRights campaign at BlogAdda. You can also contribute to the cause by donating or spreading the word.”