Being harassed? Scream and shout out loud

Delhi would be a much safer place if people protest and intervene when women are teased or molested, just as they do in other parts of the country. Karan Choudhury reports.

Delhi would be a much safer place if people protest and intervene when women are teased or molested, just as they do in other parts of the country.

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People's participation is necessary to make any city safer. So it's time they became a little proactive in making it liveable, said Delhi Police Chief BK Gupta. "We are taking all measures possible to make the city safer , but till people start reacting to each and every crime - even minor ones - being committed against women, the problem will persist. Approach the police; we will help and make sure eve-teasers are punished," said Gupta.

Women's activists say a lot more effort is needed by everyone to improve the situation. "A spectrum of mindset has to be changed not only for the safety of women on road but for their safety inside homes. We still have a long way to go," said Amrita Nandy, women's rights activist and researcher.

What also needs to change is the attitude of people towards women who have been molested. "No one wants to be teased and men, including policemen, should understand that. Many women don't complain and suffer in silence as people around them are insensitive and add to their trauma," says Shruti Kapadia, an MA English (final) student in the South Campus.

"The public has to start reacting. They have to report any crime against women. They have to be more proactive," added Gupta.

The police, on its part, are taking a number of measures, including training female personnel in commando combat, something which is being done for the first time in Delhi Police history.