Shattering the Silence: Demystifying Societal Norms that Perpetuate Violence against Women
“In the sacred land with ancient myths untold,
with women as embodiments of goddesses Lakshmi and Durga nurturing yet bold.
Freedom they seek, their human right,
but the lecherous eyes follow and the streets run dark with fear urging them to fight.
The honor they lost, the deep scar left on their hearts,
trauma they go through crushes their soul into distinct parts.”
A report by Hindustan Times revealed that Haryana witnessed 10 horrifying rape cases within 10 days in January 2018. It’s the last quarter of 2024 and how far we’ve come? With Kolkata breaking news of the RG Kar Hospital rape and murder case of a trainee doctor on August 9, the number of reported rape cases continue to escalate with unreported cases estimated to be at an all-time high. The question remains the same, why do rapes happen? Let’s take a peek into the unspoken epidemic.
Rape is an act to express repressed power and anger, that involves engaging in sexual activity without a person’s consent. The widespread acceptance of ‘victim blaming’ in the country that both the victim and perpetrator are responsible for a heinous act stems from a hindsight bias, a belief that the victims of a crime should have anticipated and avoided the misfortunes they faced. Few victim blaming statements we have all heard, “She was asking for it by wearing that revealing dress” or “It wouldn’t have happened if she wasn’t loitering outside at night” or worse “The child must have been disobedient to provoke such a reaction.”
What we are presently facing is a mindset that deems rape as a consensual act and the rigid societal attitude that assumes ‘she wanted it,’ society refuses to regard a victim as a survivor. The patriarchal social structure that places men over women often establishes power imbalances between the two genders. This hierarchical structure leads to normalizing outrageous sexual behavior as a mechanism for men to claim control and dominance over women.
Rape is often viewed as an outcome of deviated psychological and cognitive adaptations in the mind of an offender. Early ingrained attitudes or behaviors are usually deep rooted, unless something dramatic happens and one’s belief system undergoes a 360-degree change attitudes learned at a young age are difficult to unlearn. So, regressive beliefs prevalent in the society are bound to be carry forwarded as a result of faulty behaviors learned at a young age.
The sustained portrayal of women as ‘public property’ that strips them of their individualism, has led to a sense of entitlement in rapists. They perceive women as objects to be dominated through force or coercion. Viewing women as economic downturns, a vicious cycle of outdated stereotypes is perpetuated, that labels those who defy conventional roles-such as working late-as immoral. These destructive biases result in continued normalization of crimes against women and augmentation of gender inequality.
But what drives people to commit sexual felonies? Let’s take a closer look at the distorted perspectives and thinking patterns in their minds. Some men misinterpret women’s signals and lack desirable limits between sex and aggression. They may have harmful fantasies and are often too impulsive and antisocial. This feeling of inadequacy is likely to be overcompensated by acting ‘overly masculine.’ Factors like childhood abuse, alcohol and drug abuse, a tendency to control women, antisocial behavior, growing up in a patriarchal household and a lack of empathy can all cause deviant sexual behavior.
Sexual Assault is more likely to occur in cultures where males are viewed as superior like in India. When a male child is born, people often celebrate through an array of customs, which include beating a metal plate, dancing or giving sweets to others. Whereas the same communities do not celebrate the same way when a girl is born. Based on cultural beliefs, a family’s honor is determined by how well their daughter’sfollow well established rules like dressing modestly, avoiding pre-marital sex, and accepting arranged marriages. Since a daughter symbolizes a family’s honor, she may be punished for a man’s deviant actions. We can say that a family’s reputation is believed to be tied to a woman’s behavior.
Another overlooked factor is gender inequality specifically in education and employment which contributes to sexual violence. While more young girls are enrolling themselves in school but as they age, the opportunity pool becomes smaller for them. Only 60 per cent adult women can read, and for every 100 men working, only 34 women are employable. Less education and fewer jobs gives them less autonomy over their lives, making them more susceptible to face sexual violence. As more women enter the workforce, they may face more resistance at first because they challenge men’s control. But once they gain education, skills, money and social status the risk decreases significantly.
Last but the most painful intersection is of poverty and rape, a brutal reality where sheer lack of resources leaves women voiceless, powerless and preyed upon. Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) women in India are more likely to experience sexual violence because of the combined challenges of being a woman, belonging to a marginalized caste, and living in poverty.
The caste system which has existed in India for thousands of years, has historically excluded these groups from good opportunities in education and career, leaving them in a disadvantaged state. SC and ST women often have scarce resources and are given menial jobs, making them vulnerable to exploitation by those in power, such as landlords, police officers, and employers. Women often become the target for sexual assault because they lack the means to fight back. Legal protections for them are weak, are many perpetrators are not punished, which allows the cycle of violence to continue. As a result, SC and ST women face a higher risk of sexual violence compared to women from wealthier and more privileged backgrounds.
“As one challenges the norms that allow rape culture to thrive, one builds a foundation to a safer world for everyone.”
Rightly said, but what can we do to protect the women of our country? Preventing a rape culture mindset requires a comprehensive approach that addresses education, societal norms, and legal accountability. Comprehensive sex education can be a great starting point which involves teaching young people about consent and healthy relationships.
By learning early on to value mutual respect and boundaries, individuals are less likely to internalize harmful attitudes towards gender roles and power dynamics. Bystander intervention turns out to be another essential mechanism in combating rape culture. Training individuals to speak up or intervene when witnessing harassment or predatory behavior fosters a culture of accountability. Empowering bystanders can prevent harmful behavior before it escalates. The media also plays a significant role in dismantling rape culture from its core.
Promoting positive portrayals of women, and rejecting objectification or glorification of violence, can influence societal attitudes. Additionally, organizing public awareness can help shift the narrative around consent and rape. Lastly, supporting survivors is crucial to dismantle rape culture. Ensuring that the survivors are believed and have access to justice and resources reduces stigma and encourages more people to speak up. After all, “No means No-Respect it every time.”
By: Stuti Mathur
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