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The #MeToo campaign has taken centre stage all over the world for a very important reason. Not only is it insightful but it is also shameful when we think about the severe silencing – be it due to societal pressure, shame or fear, that has taken over our society when it comes to a matter as grave as harassment and abuse. We seem to have normalised such unwarranted actions by others upon ourselves and the sheer magnitude of people that have spoken out about their own experiences of being harassed, a harasser and witness, seems like a good place to start when initiating a change in our community.
It’s not just women that have come out but also men, sharing their own experiences and problems with opening up about sexual harassment and abuse in environments of toxic masculinity that hold strong notions of ‘manning up’. None of this is okay (that is a fact beyond questioning) and the courage displayed by people of all genders whilst speaking up is commendable. But as they say, actions speak louder than words and while these words are important and require strength, there is only so much that social media outrage can do when it comes to on-ground changes.
We need security, we need judicial repercussions, we need the elected and appointed protectors of society to take charge. We need to know that police action will be taken, to support us and make us safer. Which is why when the Kolkata police department followed by the Mumbai police stepped up to make a statement in the wake of the #MeToo campaign, it made a difference.
“We at Kolkata Police have been perturbed by the number of women who have shared #metoo. And we would also like to reiterate our pledge and commitment by saying that we hear every single one of you,” they state, taking to social media. In their statement, they ask people to be confident enough to walk into police stations and file proper complaints for them to take action. “We urge you to be strong, we want you to be very, very angry about the leering, jeering, threats, verbal and physical abuses, we are asking you to be not afraid and to report to the police every time,” they write. They also state their officers will be supportive and “hear your experiences with patience and kindness”, addressing the need to sensitise their own officials on how to deal with such situations in a proper manner.
The Department speak of their latest initiative – an important one – that they’ve started in schools called Dear Boys, addressing the need to talk to them about stopping sexual harassment, changing mindsets and instilling respect for all genders at an early age. While men too fall victim to harassment and abuse, the sentiment here is of equality and respect, and it is one that is needed in schools across the country – for all genders.
Mumbai police too took to social media, posting on Twitter about their support for the campaign and addressing the need to report cases of abuse with their own hashtag #ReportSexualAbuse.
While only time will tell if their words will actually turn into real action, the recognition of the problem and the fear people have of actually turning to the police were needed. Over the years we’ve all been disheartened when it comes to police inaction in different circumstances – be it for improper conduct, lack of timely action or even dissuading people from filing complaints. If it’s a worldwide call to action through social media that made the police see the reality countless people face when it comes to harassment and abuse, then so be it. Although the “number of women who have been subject to sexual harassment” is not news when we see the realities we all live in – it is not shocking for a lot of people.
What the #MeToo campaign has done is force a dialogue that has been hushed for too long. There is police help you can take, an action that does lead to consequences for perpetrators – we just need to have faith in our judicial system. It may be hard for a lot of us to think it’s possible, but there are numerous people that have found justice through the system. We need the police to support us as well – to keep our faith in them for our safety. It is going to be tough, but we, the people, need to try and the police do too.
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