Introduction
Eve teasing is something that women around the globe, especially in India have to face. Eve is related to The Bible’s Creation story, Adam and Eve. Eve teasing means an unlawful behavior towards women or minor.
Most of the times the cases of eve teasing are covered under the carpet, blaming the victim. Passing lewd comments, cat calling, making unwanted physical contact, groping is considered as eve teasing. Most of the girls on their way to school, college and office have to witness this shameful display of sexual aggression.
Many women are not even aware of their rights and how to react in particular situation, they have accepted it thus normalizing its existence. Most often not raising your voice against this obscene behavior can lead to the encouragement for eve teasers. There are laws that protect us from eve teasing but need strict implementation.
In recent times not only women but men and LGTB community has also been a target of similar type of molestation.
Types of Eve teasing
1) Sexual harassment- If any person shows pornography to a woman even if she denies and makes sexually remarks, demand or request for sexual favors etc. then he committed the offence of sexual harassment.
2) Disrobing- If any person uses a criminal force against a woman with an intention to disrobe her and forces her to be naked then he will be liable under this section.
3) Voyeurism- If any person spies on another person who is involved in either intimate acts of undressing or sexual activity that are considered private in nature, then he will be held liable under this act.
4) Stalking- If a man follows or contacts a woman despite several indications of disinterest or even verbal denial by her it is considered as an offense.
5) Obscene acts and songs- If any person annoys another person by doing any disturbing act or by singing any disturbing song, or by words then it will be considered as a type of eve teasing.
6) Outraging the modesty of a woman- If any person harms or uses criminal force against a woman and does this intentionally to outrage a woman. It is treated more serious than other criminal forces by allowing the police to arrest without a warrant in such cases.
7) Insulting the modesty of a woman- If any person has any opinion or gesture or exhibits any object with an intention to intrude on a woman’s privacy by words or objects.
Causes
Due to lack of awareness, free and uncontrolled telecast, no proper education and discrimination, eve teasing problems are increasing day-by-day.
Lack of positive and good thoughts for women in society, as they consider women as commodities.
Even the wide spread consumption of pornography is a cause of eve teasing.
Impact on girls due to eve teasing
Cases of molestation do have a very deep effect on mental health. Girls lose self-confidence and start hating themselves. Survivors fear everywhere they go. It takes months to years just to get out of a room.
These were just internal problems. WHO defines health as a state of physical, mental and social wellbeing not just absence of any disease. With an increase in eve teasing cases, many girls in India are going through mental health diseases.
While going through anxiety and self-hatred, society serves as external worries. Always a girl is blamed, her clothes are targeted, and her freedom is snatched. She is deprived of basic human rights. A girl is further scared to raise her voice. Eve teasing in a way ruins her entire life. Many girls have committed suicide due to the mental trauma caused by eve teasing.
Law and punishments
The act of eve-teasing is considered constitutionally immoral by interfering into his/her personal life. It is a violation of the Fundamental Right to Life that is provided to us by Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, and affects the dignity and also the self respect of a woman. In the Indian Penal Code, the word ‘eve-teasing’ does not exist. As mentioned already, eve teasing is an attitude, a mindset or a behavior that is construed as an insult and an act of humiliation of the female sex.
The victims of eve teasing could take help to certain sections of the IPC. The non-penetrative sexual assault, under the section 354 of the Indian Penal Code, is punishable with a maximum term of two years imprisonment or with fine or with both.
Section 354 is for assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty. Punishment could be imprisonment for 2 years, or fine or both and the offense could be cognizable, bailable and terrible by any Magistrate.
Section 509 is for word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman. The person who intends to insult the modesty of any woman or utters any word or makes any sound or gesture or exhibits any object intending that such word or even intrudes upon the privacy of such woman, shall be punished with imprisonment for a period which may extend to one year or with fine or both.
Section 294 is for Obscene acts and songs. Any person who does any obscene act in any public place, or sings or utters any obscene song or words, in or near any public place will be punished with imprisonment that may extend to three months with fine or both.
Earlier, before 2013, the scope of the law on sexual harassment was not broad. In the Indian penal code 1860, Section 294, Section 354 and Section 509 were included. But now it also includes Disrobing (Section 354-B), Voyeurism (Section 354-C) and Stalking (Section 354-D) after passing of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013.
Eve Teasing punishment in India under the provisions of these sections of law and the procedural laws are not easy and the type of proofs that are required makes it very difficult to get the culprits punished.
Measures to prevent eve teasing
Without understanding the sensitivity of the situation a society has the tendency to come up with a necessary solutions. Wearing “appropriate” clothes or covering your entire body will not definitely protect you from Eve teasing, many girls have still been a target of this. Your clothes is not the reason why rape or molestation happens, it is the sickening mentality of some. But you can take some preventive measures for your safety, such as to never trust anyone easily and choose your friends wisely.
Prevention is always better than cure, so always carry a safety equipment with you every time no matter where you are traveling or when you are travelling. People take undue advantage of crowd, so always be alert in these situations in a way be self reliant be strong and confident to face any situation and protect yourself. Now one thing that will help you a lot is making better use of Technology set police helpline numbers on speed dial, SOS your close people, download safety apps.
Conclusion
Eve teasing is a problem that has to be stopped very soon. There should be stricter laws and severe punishment against it. Complaints should be logged in such cases and more attention should be given by the respective. If eve teasing is not stopped soon or if it is considered lightly, it could turn into a grievous and harmful crime. Proper education as well as the punishments is to be explained. The importance of social, cultural and moral values is to be regained by educating.