Sexual harassment, molestation and non-consensual encounters in public places are shockingly common and almost every woman in our country has to face this mishap. While some of them openly talk about it, some of them process the time to even understand and comprehend as to what actually happened to them. A woman’s position or fame, worth and strength does not even matter to these sexual predators who simply head out to make lives miserable.

One such tragic incident has happened to actress Anna Ben who has done some terrific roles in films like Kumbalangi Nights, Helen and Kappela.

Anna was apparently shopping for groceries at a supermarket along with her sister, mother and her brother when two men casually walked near her and grabbed her back. Before Anna, could process what just happened to her, the men casually walked past her.

Her sister who witnessed the entire incident came to her and enquired if she was okay. Anna talked about all the emotions she went through that very minute, all the things she wanted to say and do to them but it took her really long to even process the fact that some sexual predator simply grabbed her private parts and walked away like nothing happened.

As the sisters walked towards the cash counter, the men approached them yet again and asked Anna about the films she does as he walked more closer to her. But soon her mother noticed this and walked towards them. Seeing this, the men left the space and walked away.

Talking about this on social media, Anna said, “As I type this I can think of a thousand things I could have told them and a hundred things I could have done. But I didn’t. I just couldn’t. I just wanted to let this out here so I could feel a little relief. To feel that I have done something about it knowing fully that they walked away without guilt or trouble. Knowing that they might do it again, it angers me.”

“Being a woman has been very tiring, to be on guard every minute as you step out of your house. To watch my clothes when I bend and turn. To guard my chest with my arms in a crowd… And on the days I’m home, I worry about my mother, my sister, my friends who have to do the same things. It is all because of these sick men. You take away our safety. You take away our comfort and the joy of our womanhood. I despise you,” the actor wrote.

Addressing men, she added, “If you have done anything remotely inappropriate to a woman, know that you are the lowest form of life and you don’t deserve anything but hell. And to all the women reading her post, she said, “I hope you have the courage to give a tight slap on the face of such men.”

 

 

Anna Ben has been courageous enough to talk about it and create more awareness on standing up for oneself. That in itself is a first step. It is imperative that women standup for themselves against these sexual predators and realise that there are people who would support them at such situations. More power to stronger women!