Do not be silent in front of injustice, urged Prabha Sridevan, former judge, Madras High Court.

“Each one must teach and change the other. Women have suffered enough. We must first change our attitudes towards women,” said the former judge, at a public forum on the fight against sexual crimes against women, organised by The Hindu , at Ethiraj College for Women. Rape and sexual assaults are expressions of power, where the aggressor wants to show the woman is not equal. “This act dehumanises her. But the issue cannot be solved just by increasing punishment or making it severe,” she said.

“When handling such incidents, the treatment and trial should be swift and dealt with dignity. Every hospital and police station is accountable.”

Sashi Kumar, trustee, Media Development Foundation, said while media has played a crucial role in highlighting the crime in Delhi, it has also fed into the problem. Media and films have unfortunately created archetypes and cultural stereotypes, he said.

“There should be a massive campaign to create an emergency consciousness about the situation. The media, society and government have a big role to play in this.” Nagasaila, advocate, said the process of getting justice in the country is a Herculean task. “Punishment will happen only if there is conviction. The criminal justice system can be alienating. So, harsher punishment to combat sexual violence is not the solution. The perspective should be towards educating and crime prevention,” she said.

R. Nataraj, former Director-General of Police, said focused patrolling can prevent crimes.

“The very presence of people in uniform deters crime.” Lot of sensitisation of policemen towards women’s issues is required, he said. “Often, police put the blame on the victims and put them under tremendous trauma through insensitive questions.” Pushkal Shivam, a student of IIT-Madras, said the onus of fighting rape should be on the men. Unfortunately, politicians charged of sexual crimes are allowed to contest elections in the country.

Supriya Rao, a student of Ethiraj College, questioned the apathy and indifference of the people.

The police can only do so much, the citizens also have a role to play, she said.

Siddharth Varadarajan, Editor, The Hindu , said the Delhi attack has become a catalyst for public awareness about the growing incidence of sexual violence against women, which stems from attitudes created by a patriarchal society.

> swetha.kannan@thehindu.co.in

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