Forget About Predators In Wild, Some Are Found In Offices And Public Spaces Too

Predators are not only found in the animal kingdom. Funnily, humans are taught to be cautious and fearful of the wild in the jungle. But this very jungle exists in offices, public spaces and many times within the confines of a home.

The sexual male predator is a species that was created in a seemingly normal home, where he is allowed to misbehave and where he eventually grows up to become the groper, the rapist and the one who does not hesitate to target the weaker one if he is lucky enough to get into the position of power.  

Among these predators is a line of junior colleagues who are silent bystanders. They are also equally at fault, for not standing up against wrong, as they silently watch a woman being harassed or name called by the senior male boss or worst case scenario many male bosses. Many women who find themselves in these environments, sometimes have no choice but to endure them based on their inner resilience or the need for the job. They tolerate blatant sexual advances. Some people leave their jobs for good in order to escape toxicity.

Predators of public spaces

If the woman dares to protest, her salary, her promotion and her job profile will be played with, till she gives in or goes out, never to return. Also, she must be ready for character assassination by her social circle and office colleagues who many times are the bystanders and among them are a few women too.

 The questions that arise are, "Where and how did the predator arrive at this sense of misplaced entitlement? What kind of environment do they come from? Who do they think they are, to bully a woman, knowing very well that if she loses her job, her life will be altered forever. How dare they do this, thinking it is okay, to scar a woman - these are the numerous thoughts that arise. 

 It is an unfortunate truth that many women across all industries and sectors have faced the reality of predatory behaviour in their workplaces. Whether it is in a corporate setting, a government agency, a small business, or a non-profit organisation, there are individuals who believe they have the power to exploit and harass others for their own gain.

For many women, the fear of retaliation or not being believed often prevents them from coming forward and reporting the misconduct. The #Metoo movement shed light on the pervasive issue of sexual harassment and assault, with countless women sharing their stories and experiences with predators.

Predatory behaviour can take many forms, from unwanted advances and comments to physical assault and even rape. It is a violation of an individual's personal space, dignity, and basic human rights.

Women who experience such behaviour may suffer from a range of emotional and psychological impacts, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

It is essential that organisations take active steps to prevent and address predatory behaviour in their workplaces. This includes establishing clear policies and procedures for reporting and addressing misconduct, providing training and education on appropriate workplace behaviour, and taking swift and decisive action when allegations are made.

Many women in these situations often find themselves at a loss. She is torn between feeling isolated in her harassment by the decadent, entitled male office environment and trying to complain about the misdemeanours. If she musters the courage to speak up, she maybe will be brushed aside as being too reactive and dramatic. She can also be gaslighted by other colleagues, who make her feel as if everything is a joke, and among this cacophony, some sadly will be her female colleagues. 

 #Metoo movement, the most powerful female-led movement to date, aided more women to come out with their stories. For the first time, men began to experience the fear of not being in the news the next day. They soon started to take notice of their behaviour in the office space, hesitantly allowing women their space. which, until recently, wasn’t given to her.  

Male colleagues and bosses before this were many times unashamedly sexual towards any female colleague they fancied or saw as a threat. And for long women were being gaslighted into believing that this must be the fault of their clothing, the earrings or sometimes the heels too.

 According to the Pew Research Center, more than 19 million #Metoo cases are registered all over the world. The recent discussion around predatory behaviour has brought to light the reality of many workplaces where individuals with power have been able to act without consequence for far too long. These individuals sometimes referred to as predators have been allowed to prey on others without any accountability or repercussions.

The way forward is to be able to instil a strong sense of discomfort when a woman feels devalued and objectified. The first step is to bring equality and respect as basic human rights for women.

 Views expressed by the author are their own

Mohua Chinappa is an author and a podcaster of a show called The Mohua Show.

Suggested Reading: Sexual Harassment At Workplace: Women Caught Between Safety And Success