I Think: Rape has to be considered more seriously than other cases

Virabhadra Gowda, retired police officer, Bangalore

‘Sexual violence has to be reported first to police and then to the media.’ Photo courtesy: Janhavi MB

I often get my news from the papers and the two-minute bulletins that the FM stations play.

Rape is an evil social crime. It has to be brought into the limelight. It has to be considered more seriously than other cases.

Illiteracy is the main factor contributing to sexual violence. The maximum number of crimes are committed by school dropouts: empty mind, devil’s workshop. Education of the male individual is important.

The percentage of rape in India is high. This country has been called the most dangerous for women according to a poll in 2018.

Sexual violence has to be reported first to police and then to the media. Often girls or women are afraid to report these crimes to police stations so they end up going to the media, because of which the identification of the perpetrator becomes tough.

The responsibility of media is to create awareness, especially among adolescent boys and girls. Women and girls also need to take precautions.

This is one in a series of articles that NewsTracker published from 25 November to 10 December as part of the #16Days activism, aligned with the UN’s International Day for Ending Violence Against Women. This piece appeared on Day 14.