Mumbai Hostel Murder: Girl's Harassment Complaint Ignored, Isn't Safety A Priority?

Crimes against women are rising at an alarming rate and with every new case, we try to rethink the standards of society and discuss how we could prevent such cases. However, it is often seen that early complaints are often ignored until a crime takes place like in the recent alleged rape and murder case at Mumbai hostel.

The alleged rape and murder of an 18-year-old girl from Akola district at a government-run hostel in Bandra, Mumbai has shocked the nation. The girl, who lived on the fourth floor of the girl's hostel, was allegedly raped and killed by the hostel guard who later died by suicide. As per the police, the guard was found with the keys to the girl's room in his pocket.

Her father recently alleged that the girl had informed the warden about the guard's harassment but no action had been taken. However, the warden denied the allegations and told The Indian Express that nobody had lodged a complaint against the hostel guard. While it is unknown if the girl had lodged an official complaint, it wouldn't mark the first incident where women's concerns were ignored.

Suggested Reading: Mumbai: 18-Year-Old Found Dead In Hostel Room; Accused Security Guard Dies By Suicide

Mumbai Hostel Murder

Women are often told that they're overthinking and imagining the harassment they are facing, and society often shames and belittles women for complaining. When women do muster up the courage to complain, their fears may be ignored by the people meant to be protecting them.

Instead, people believe that avoidance is the answer to all the problems that women face, avoid going out late at night, avoid wearing certain clothes, avoid being around strangers, and don't be friends with other men. However, the issue never truly gets addressed. Instead, women are locked away, but does that restriction help keep women safe?

As per the National Crime Bureau, there was an 87 percent increase in crimes against women from 2011 to 2021. It's clear that major changes are needed to ensure the safety of women.

Recently, a medical student in Telangana killed herself after being constantly harassed by a senior. She filed complaints against the male senior to the authorities but they did not take any action, which impacted her mental health.

It is tragic that women's safety is still less important than confronting a man for his wrong actions.

When Will Men Be Held Accountable?

In many cases, the harassers are released with a simple warning or lenient punishment but they end up doing something even more horrible than stalking and harassing because they know they have a chance of getting away with it just like the last time.

There have been several cases of men out on bail committing heinous crimes. Recently, a man out on bail for the murder of his first wife pushed his second wife and baby out of a moving train, killing the child instantly.

The confidence grows with every ignored incident and the intensity of harassment increases. When something terrible happens, people either blame the woman for her actions or blame the culprit for the deed. However, we forget that the system needs to be changed in order for lasting change and improvements.

Views expressed by the author are their own