Fight the VERBAL ABUSE: Violence of Words

Fight the VERBAL ABUSE: Violence of Words
(Inspired by Femina 2009 November issue: women fight back column)

“You cannot have somebody murdering your dignity and walking all over you.” When I read these words, I felt a kind of curiosity to read the article. Right now am on an internship with a leading media firm in pune, and my project profile is “Institutional- Domestic sales and market research.” Where I on routine basis go door to door and sell the subscription for the English daily.

Well daily I update my status on Facebook and love to seek experience and learning from the same. But the very day I read this article in femina, just a day before that I encountered an abusive customer who insulted me with all the world’s slang and not only that he drove me out of the housing society humiliating me publicly in front of all the residents living there that too I haven’t disturbed him at odd hour, it was evening 7 at a respectful residential area of khadki, “Triveni”, It was not at all expected from such a middle edged so-called knowledgeable civilian of pune, he hurt my dignity though he was verbally abusive, and in our routine life we female usually ignore these issues it bring tears to my eyes, I was unable to sleep the night following a mental trauma and was very upset and unable to work for 3 consecutive days.
Though my team leader went there and stand for me in answer to what he did, but after that incidence I came to know that there are many other girls in our team who faced the same, but doesn’t even report the violent act back to any supervisor.

And as soon I read this article of Uzma and Hena of kolkata in femina, I feel a responsibility to post this article on my blog. So that what we are unaware about we should be aware about. I personally feel though these articles are not much read by crowd still if my article educate some one or help someone to avoid even a single incidence like so then it will be worth writing this.

“If you are ever confronted such situation your body language is of paramount importance in dealing with violence. If there are no obvious weapons with you or if your family members when an abuser calls your names, look him in the eye and tell him off.” Psychologist Anindita Ghoshal says.

Freezing on the spot is natural, but one have to ensure that the perpetrator doesn’t feel he has succeeded in getting upper hand or shocking one in action.

As well as one well knit community can be a boon as much as pain. Santashree Chaudhari, social activist says, “ Always seek a public petition if you have witnesses, Get them sign and morally support you.”
A mass petition to the police ensures that they give more credence to the incident and one’s case. What one need to do is write a detailed letter describing what exactly happened, outline the important words. And then ask the witnesses to support one.

If the police act promptly at the time of the incident, but there isn’t much progress after that, meet the deputy commissioner of police ask why thana hasn’t been taking relevant action and get in touch with the authority for redressal. One can also opt for engaging a lawyer in grave issues like threatening and other kind of serious problems and approaching the court with a request that the magistrate direct the concerned police station to act promptly, suggested by Anchita Ghatak, secretary of Parichiti, a women empowerment group.

There are sections 323,506,509,427 and 114 of the IPC that deal with protection for women, though all are bailable offences but if the accused harrased one while out on bail, can be arrested again and the second time it is going to be hard for him to get out on bail.
If some female find the process better go to women grievance cell for guidance or approach women empowerment group. But don’t fight the violent of words silently, its time to fight back Let show the world that we are not only educated and we also know how to use our education in terms of law. Don’t encourage better teach these people a lesson so that they dare not to attempt this with others.

Hope not only my female readers are with me on this issue but also the male readers would support me. I have personally faced the same situation so I know its better to fight back then just forgetting it, Even road side abuses will not be entertained, we are females that doesn’t imply we are inferior and dumb and have no capacity to fight back.

Cheers to zeal!!

-mrinal