But he harassed her so that nobody would say anything
This is what we mean when we say there is a problem with our society, and not just with the actual criminals.
In a disturbing pattern observed across public spaces, harassment is often met with silence, while crimes like theft are swiftly condemned. When a woman is harassed in public, there is a tendency for bystanders to remain passive, as if the issue doesn’t warrant their intervention. This passivity highlights a deeper problem ingrained in societal attitudes. If the same person were to steal her phone, the outrage would be instant, and the collective anger of those around would serve justice. However, harassment—despite being an act of violation—is treated differently, often brushed aside as less severe.
This stark contrast reveals a critical flaw in how we, as a society, view gender-based violence. By not holding harassers accountable with the same urgency as thieves or other criminals, we perpetuate a culture that dismisses the lived experiences of women. It’s not just about addressing the actions of individual harassers but confronting a social system that allows this silence to prevail. The real issue lies in shifting our collective mindset to recognize harassment as an urgent violation, worthy of the same response as any other crime.
