Friday, August 21, 2009

Harassment on the LRT- is there a solution?

It just occured to me (yes I do realize I am quite slow), that every one has been subjected to sexual harassment in some point in their life. It doesn't matter whether you are drop dead gorgeous like Jessica Michibata or a fantasy girl like Caprice raps of or as voluptuous as Kim Kardashian, it doesn't matter whether you were in a mall, work, class, a club, etc,
the main point is as long as you're a girl (or a guy), chances are, you've been a victim, but God knows to what extent.

Basically,sexual harassment refers to unwelcome sexual advances. Note, unwelcome. It doesn't matter what gender you are, it certainly doesn't matter whether it was an act of an opposite gender or of the same gender (oh come on, we live in a bisexual world) or of sexually offensive remarks or acts. Any means which will make you feel violated in any way. If you consent to it, it's not really harassment,is it?

In the past few days, a couple of my own close friends were victims of sexual harassment on the LRT.
First and far most before I continue, don't you even think of blaming it on the girls attire.
Cause these girls were decently dressed in hijab and baju kurung. And I know as a matter of fact, I've seen girls in short skirts and shorts not get an inch from these predators.
Back to the main point, imagine, public transport. Where everyone is in a hurry to get from one place to another, to even bother about the going ons of the next person. Sexual harassment predators take their chances then.

But none of them care to report or scream the matter when it happens. All of them fear that no one else sees the occurrence, thus coloring them little kids crying wolf over nothing. The fact that this happens is, these predators are smart, in crowded areas, you can't really sense whether it was done intentionally or by accident. But one thing that the victims do know is, they were violated, regardless of intention.

So what's there to do?
Is there no solution for these victimised ladies?
That's a question I throw back to you to figure out.

~AJ~

2 comments:

  1. reaally, i believe clothing is a factor. not a mojor one, but i think it affects the situation somewhat. =p

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  2. Haha Jake i agree.. But I also reckon that the public transport companies themselves have to increase its security. Dumping policemen and all will not be of much help. I opine they use something like CCTVs at strategi corners to be able to see EVERYTHING that happens. But sadly, budget constraints prevent them from doing such a thing la. Oh well. Guess the girls will have to live a life of silent anguish then. Poor them..

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