Why Confronting Menace Of Masturbation In Public Is Need Of The Hour

Within our society, a deeply unsettling trend has been surfacing, revealing a disconcerting reality that women grapple with: the rising incidents of men violating the boundaries of space and morality, unleashing their unchecked sexual desires in the most degrading and violating manner possible. One such incident involved an Uber driver in Australia, masturbating with a female passenger seated in the car. The 26-year-old woman from Capetown recounted the incident to local news outlets, stating that she was on the way home when she noticed her driver performing the egregious act. She was holding back tears and feared she would get raped.

Such recurring cases also haunt women in India, as seen in the recent horrifying incident on the Poorna Express among several others. These alarming occurrences leave us questioning when men will truly understand that women are more than objects for their voyeuristic gratification.

India's Poorna Express Horror

On a fateful Tuesday morning near Gokarna Railway Station in Karnataka, a 22-year-old woman, accompanied by two male friends, fell victim to a heinous act. Dattatray Chavan, a 47-year-old man, allegedly masturbated on her face while she was asleep.

As the woman peacefully slept, Chavan invaded her personal space, committing a heinous act by allegedly masturbating on her face. The gravity of the situation escalated when the victim's vigilant male friends, upon witnessing the appalling act, promptly dialled an emergency number to seek immediate intervention.

Inspector Sunil Gudlar of Konkan Railway Police revealed that upon receiving the distress call, the police acted swiftly. The prompt response led to the arrest of the accused, Dattatray Chavan, near Gokarna Railway Station. Chavan, a Maharashtra native working in Kannur, Kerala, was detained and taken into custody.

This incident also forces us to confront the vulnerability that women experience in seemingly safe spaces, where their voices are stifled and their distress often goes unnoticed. The violation occurred not in a deserted alley or a dark corner but on a train, a mode of transportation that is expected to be relatively secure.

Legal Ambiguities and Urgent Need for Reform

Public masturbation, a degrading act that leaves victims emotionally scarred, finds itself in a legal grey area in India. It is alarming to note that there is no specific provision in the Indian Penal Code addressing 'public masturbation.' While several countries have stringent laws against such offences, in India, the legal recourse lies in sections dealing with assault, criminal force, and outraging the modesty of women. Section 354, Section 509, and/or Section 268 IPC become the tools to address these violations, revealing a gap in the legal framework that needs urgent attention.

The Suffering: Other Incidents Across India

The horror on the Poorna Express is not an isolated incident; it is part of a larger pattern of harassment that women face in various public spaces. From Bengaluru to Kerala, incidents involving theft of women's innerwear, recording of private moments, and lewd acts in buses exemplify the pervasive nature of this menace.

Highlighting the gravity of the issue, several incidents have come to light from different parts of India:

Lurking Shadows in Bengaluru

In yet another spine-chilling incident in Bengaluru, a man was caught stealing women's innerwear and engaging in lewd acts on the terrace of a house in the Vidhana Soudha Layout near Laggere. The violation extended to recording private moments, exposing the unsettling reality that women are not safe even within the confines of their homes.

Another video captured by a female passenger shows a deeply unsettling incident where a security staff member, stationed at the Jalahalli Metro platform, was observed touching his private parts and engaging in lewd behavior. The footage specifically showcases the individual targeting a woman traveler, subjecting her to discomfort and distress. Deeply affected by the distressing encounter, the woman passenger took to social media platforms to document her harrowing experience and demand accountability from the authorities, particularly the Bengaluru police. In her online post, she narrated the ordeal, detailing the unsettling gestures and actions of the security guard, which left her profoundly uncomfortable.

The Bus Ordeal in Kerala

Nandita Sankara, an actor and model, bravely shared her traumatic  experience on social media. Seated in a bus in Kerala, she confronted a man, Savad Sha, who was caught masturbating between two female passengers. Nandita's courageous response, supported by fellow passengers, led to the arrest of the accused and also highlights the importance of empowering women to speak out against public indecency, fostering a collective stand against such actions.

Disturbing Skies: Pune to Nagpur Flight

The violation of personal space is not confined to ground-level incidents, as highlighted by a disturbing episode on a private airline flight from Pune to Nagpur. A 32-year-old man named Feroze Shaikh reportedly engaged in lewd behaviour towards a 40-year-old woman seated beside him. The victim, a teacher residing in Chandrapur en route to perform her father's last rites, raised the alarm, prompting Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) intervention. 

A Silent Epidemic & Its Toll on Women

Public masturbation is not an isolated incident but a pervasive issue affecting women from all walks of life. From grandmothers to school-age children, this form of harassment occurs in settings where victims often find themselves powerless and silenced. The lack of legal clarity exacerbates the problem, making it imperative for society to confront this issue head-on.

The emotional and mental toll on victims cannot be overstated. Many women modify their behaviour to avoid becoming targets, changing routes, or avoiding particular areas. The normalization of such offences perpetuates a culture where victims are blamed, shamed, and discouraged from reporting.

The prevalence of blame culture, where victims are questioned about their clothing choices, adds another layer to the trauma, discouraging many from speaking out.

Addressing the Root Cause

Beyond legal measures, addressing the root cause of this crime is crucial. Public masturbation is not just about sexual gratification; it is about power and control. Perpetrators feel entitled to assert dominance over women's bodies in public spaces, perpetuating a culture that normalizes such offences. Breaking this cycle requires societal introspection and a collective effort to dismantle the structures that enable such behaviour.

The Role of Bystanders

One disturbing aspect of these incidents is the apathy of bystanders. Witnesses often turn away, ignore the problem, and fail to intervene. This complicity perpetuates a culture of impunity for perpetrators, sending a message that they can continue their actions without consequence.