Chennai really safe for women?

Sarika Shah, a college student, died after being tormented by a group of youngsters in 1998; Nirmala, another student, was brutally assaulted by a gang for objecting to their lewd remarks in 2002, and Stephanie, a call centre employee, was run over after being chased by youth in a car in 2004.The cases were among the most widely debated crimes against women in the city in recent years. But, for every headline-grabbing offence against women, there are scores that go unreported. Everyone — police, activists and residents — agree that the cases that come to light form just the tip of the iceberg.

Police records reveal that 84 cases of crimes against women, such as harassment inside campuses and public places, were registered in 2006. This is a marginal decrease from the 100-odd cases registered in 2005. Officials, however, agree that most victims of harassment do not come to police stations and that these numbers do not tell the whole story.Women in Chennai have several examples of harassment to narrate. It is an everyday reality, only the form differs ... staring, whistling, touching, pushing around, deliberately brushing past, leaning over, exhibitionism, verbal and physical sexual advances.R. Bhuvana Lochini, a Madras University student, started riding a two-wheeler to college to avoid crowded buses where `accidental' harassment is common. She still is made to feel vulnerable. "Men stalk me on bikes. I nearly had an accident a few months ago when I was stalked on the road in Adyar," she says.

Crimes against women do not stop with the lewd glance or seemingly accidental physical contact. Of the grave cases reported with the Chennai police — especially those of murder for gain or chain snatching — the victims are often women. A senior officer in south Chennai said chain snatching is a big challenge. Many of the incidents occurred in and around Madipakkam, St. Thomas Mount, Pallavaram and Pallikaranai.Harm or harassment is not physical or tangible in all cases, activists note. Advocate Sudha Ramalingam cited the case of a friend who was told by an MTC bus conductor to "learn to sit like a woman" and not sit with her legs crossed.She also referred to the case of a central government employee who filed a sexual harassment complaint against her co-worker and produced the offensive SMS message before the complaints committee. The committee chose to believe the accused person's defence: "I keep my mobile on the table. She must have sent the SMS to herself."

Sexual harassment at the workplace is increasing by the day, said State Women's Commission Chairperson P. Ramathal. The Personnel and Administrative Reforms department in Tamil Nadu had issued a circular to all departments to form a Complaints Committee to evaluate cases of sexual harassment. The heads of these committees and at least half the members should be female.The commission will soon begin to monitor the efficacy of these committees. "The Government has the power to enforce the formation of these committees by private employers also. The Women's Commission is working on the issue," she said.R. Geetha of the Unorganised Workers' Federation said every institution should have a complaints committee. The institutions should prominently display the Supreme Court guidelines on what constitutes harassment at workplace. "We also need counsellors in all colleges," she added.If there are so many cases, why are they not brought to public or police notice?The Southern Railway has set up a helpline - 25353999 - for women travelling by MRTS and suburban trains. It was established following a request from the Women's Commission.However, on average less than a call a day has been recorded over the last two years. The complaints are mostly about men travelling in compartments reserved for women, vendors, occupation of doorways and abandoned luggage. Some three or four women constables are also assigned to each train and women escorts deployed between 5.30 a.m. and 7.30 a.m. and from 7 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.

The police helpline for women is 1091. An average of 40 calls is received each month, said personnel manning it. "Domestic violence forms the largest percentage of violence against women. We counsel them and do not always suggest that they file a complaint," they say.Ms. Ramalingam says it is not easy for a woman to register a complaint. The police start with, "Are you sure you want to register a complaint?" then go on to ask, "Do you know what will happen?" and end with a highly discouraging "At the end of this, what do you get?" Defamatory media publicity, say activists. "It took us months to convince Ms. Lakshmi, who complained about sexual harassment by former Kerala Minister P.J. Joseph on board an aircraft, to file a complaint.

If educated women like her, who have the support of their spouse, hesitate, what about others?" she asks. The legal process can prove equally daunting.Minor offences are dealt with by Magistrate Courts. Graver offences such as murder, rape and dowry death or harassment go to the special Magalir Neethimanram, the Women's Court in Chennai. "Most people who choose to come to this court are from the upper middle class," says Jayanthi, advocate.While the court has an 80 per cent conviction rate, getting a petition to this special court could take a year. After the case crosses the Magistrate courts, the Principal Judge court will forward the case to the Magalir Neethimanram.Another year will be taken up with hearing and presentation of evidence.