Chinmayi has always stood up for violence against women and she has been advocating for the Pollachi sexual assault case as much as she has been doing so for the #metoo movement. She has been brave and confident – she has been encouraging every woman to stand up for herself and make sure their voice is heard. In a recent interview with the Quint, Chinmayi opened up about the entire scenario and what could be done. Here’s what she had to say:

“The Pollachi Sexual assault case has been going on for a very long time seems like it. I think it underlines several issues that is intrinsically not in place in the society in India today. We still know a lot of families where parents excessively control their children, they monitor her every step. Basically all the control happens with girls and not with the boys. If you generally notice, the boys that you think are decent are sending across explicit pictures and videos on social media to random girls saying that they want to ‘jerk off’ looking at their pretty pictures. 

Despite movements like #metoo, girls are traumatised recounting their dreadful experiences from the past. Even if consensual sex was video-taped it, it is automatically crime. But because sex by itself is considered a crime, girls are not able to move forward. This ultimately leads them to a vicious ring of blackmail and extortion. At some some level there is a lot of change that needs to happen with parents and kids.

Firstly, girls need to stop their partners/boyfriends/ husbands from videotaping their intimacy. Considering the growth of technology anybody could get a hold of these. Because at the end of the day, people hold us women responsible for all this and shame us.

We are not entirely sure about the truth behind another victim filing a complaint in the station and adding to that this young girl who filed her complaint – her name and her brother’s names where released by the police department irresponsibly. This all makes the already traumatic women go through hell and give up and change their statement.

There were certain comments that read, “don’t date girls from Pollachi” and “they are all damaged pieces” and shaming victims ruthlessly. The amount of shame and the amount of drama the men are creating on social media and general media is only going to make it difficult for the girls to come out and file complaints.

Social media is doing no good or encouraging these young women to come forward and file a complaint. It’s time to spread the word in Tamil. We must take effort everywhere to strengthen and encourage women as much as possible. Women must be given the confidence that they shouldn’t be gossiped about, shamed, slandered and alienated.”

Also read: What happened in the Pollachi Sexual Assault case and who reacted!