A shocking incident in Bengaluru has brought the issue of women’s safety in the city into the spotlight. A woman recently shared her harrowing experience on Reddit, detailing how she was allegedly assaulted by a biker while walking home with her boyfriend. The incident occurred at night as the couple was walking from Church Street to Horamavu Main Road, a distance of roughly 300 meters from their home.
The woman’s account reveals that three men on a motorcycle passed them. The passenger allegedly spanked her before the perpetrators sped off, leaving her shocked and deeply shaken. The unexpected nature of the attack caused her to freeze, as she recalled, “I screamed at first, but then within seconds my vision blurred and I froze.” Her emotional response underscores the deep trauma caused by the assault, reflecting a sense of vulnerability and helplessness.
The woman’s reaction highlights the deeply rooted victim-blaming culture that often surrounds such incidents. Initially, she blamed herself for the assault, questioning her clothing choice—a skirt—and the time of night. This self-recrimination is a reflection of a broader societal issue where victims of assault are often made to feel responsible, rather than the perpetrators being held accountable. The incident illustrates the pervasive nature of victim-blaming and the urgent need to challenge these harmful narratives.
The attack underscores broader concerns about women’s safety in Bengaluru and across India. The woman’s experience reveals a pervasive fear among women that undermines their sense of security and freedom. When she shared her ordeal with others, she was met with a disappointing response: “Oh, these things happen, be careful next time.” This casual dismissal of serious assaults speaks to a normalization of such violence, which only emboldens perpetrators and discourages victims from coming forward.
This troubling reaction raises an important question: Why is violence against women still so normalized? It is a call to action for societal change and a more proactive approach to preventing assaults. The incident in Bengaluru highlights the urgent need for improved law enforcement, better safety measures, and a cultural shift away from victim-blaming attitudes. We must demand accountability for perpetrators, provide support for victims, and ensure that women’s safety is prioritized in every community.
