A recent survey conducted by a group of students from Lala Lajpatrai College, covering 6,000 girls across city colleges, revealed that close to 58% girls were sexually harassed in trains and railway stations, 45% were harassed in buses, 52% were victimised in crowded streets and narrow lanes, while 45% were harassed in the college/school premises.
However, while sexual harassment can take place at any location, most collegians dread the approach roads to their colleges from the railway stations or bus stops. The 200-metre stretch could be a nightmare for many, claim students. A student of Lala Lajpatrai College in Mahalaxmi, Avni J, said though the roads are pretty safe, one can always see boys lingering around near the college and the approach road. “They are always there and make us uncomfortable. If we have a lecture after 6.30pm, the road on the Mahalaxmi racecourse stretch becomes lonely and it is always advisable to have company,” said Avni.
The station road in Bandra West, close to which several institutes like RD National College, MMK College and others are situated, becomes lonely at night. “During college festivals or late evening lectures, I never walk down that road to the station alone. We ensure we always have company. Though the station road is crowded during the day, it becomes quite isolated at night,” said Uma Rane, a former media student from RD National College.
Shweta W, a student from a college in Sion, said, “Though the roads are crowded, there are instances of harassment almost every day. Most of us ignore them and just tend to walk away. It is quite a torment for many of the students, but they hardly complain.”
Most girl students responded similarly. Around 65% of respondents in the survey by students of Lala Lajpat Rai College said they reacted by doing nothing when harassed, a mere 5% went ahead and reported the case to the police. And 53% also claimed that they are scared to react in such cases, while 45% claimed that they did not know how to react.
It is not just students who are victims of sexual harassment, a young lecturer from a college in south Mumbai claimed harassment happens in any form and with any woman. “The approach road to colleges can sometimes give nightmares to students and teachers alike,” she said.
3 Comments