Women's safety: 'I'm more wary of being in a live-in relationship'

I never leave my house alone post sunset says Astrid Alphonso I have to have a friend accompany me back home if Irsquom travelling after 10 pm she addsEven though Alphonso would want it to be otherwise its her past experiences that have led to her taking precautionary stepsShe explains I have been catcalled I have had boys on a bike grab my thigh while I was sitting in an autorickshaw in the afternoon Irsquove had a taxi driver put the passenger seat down and try to reach for my groin when I once dozed off in a taxi from airport Itrsquos pretty scary These are only some of the experiences in a long list that is definitely neverending for many women in MumbaiThe recent spate of murders not only in India but also closer to home in Mumbai has shaken all those living in the city Less than a month ago a hacked headless body of a woman was found in a suitcase on Uttan beach after she was killed by her husband Not too long ago a college student was raped and murdered in a hostel in Charni Road More recently it took a turn for worse when another murder took place this time on Mira Road when police found that a womans body was cut into 35 pieces by her partner after which he tried to boil some of the pieces and threw them in the nearby nullahAlso ReadDalit woman says kept as bonded labourer raped by 11 and left for deadWhile these are extreme cases that are becoming more frequent it highlights the need for womens safety We all know that unstable people are only a trigger away from doing something that drastic shares AlphonsoThe fact that some of them have been the result of men who cant handle their relationship has led to women becoming victims of aggression It also puts doubts in the minds of many women who are open to livein relationships and Smriti Sant a Mumbai resident is one of them More than anything I am warier of being in a livein relationship Sant sharesLuckily for Sant she particularly hasnt had any bad experiences in Mumbai which is commonly considered among the safer cities in India She says I still find it safer When Im on the streets or taking a cab I know Im not going to get catcalled or looked at lecherously Also in my experience the taxi drivers have been very decent and respectful I normally sit in front and Ive hardly had anyone do one of those moments Oops I grazed you by mistake while I was changing the gearHowever one cannot ignore the recent past and thats why she hopes more is done It is horrible that these cases are coming up I hope the legal system and the government take some action to curb them But so far Im not too perturbed to be honest she addsSant recognises her privilege and says the reason she may feel safe till now is because of staying in a gated community I think women are going to have to be more careful than before But am I shaking in my boots No but that could be coming from my privileged background sitting in my safe compound she sharesKeeping crime at bay with safety Its over eight months since the Shraddha Walkar murder shook the country Ever since then there are more cases being reported of crimes against women rising in severity So what is the reason for the sudden rise Dr Sonal Anand psychiatrist with Wockhardt Hospitals in Mira Road explains The Mumbai Police crime report of 2022 had stated a rise in street crimes and this trend seems to continue in 2023 as well Mental health issues have also risen after the pandemic and social isolation as well as rise in poverty and unemployment are said to be the reasons Some are even copycat murders The role of deranged mental health cannot be denied in these murders Exposure to online violence gaming addiction and rise in substance abuse could also be important factorsAs always the onus is on the person and in this case women to make sure that they have taken the necessary precautions to be safe Women need to be careful about new relationships and do a thorough background check before committing heavily into the relationship There are subtle signs of violent nature in a person Women must learn to recognise these signs and be aware They should also keep a track of their own mental as well as physical health Yoga daily walking exercise can help to lower anxiety and keep focus she sharesHowever women arent the only ones who should be cautions It is the responsibility of their family friends and local authorities to also consciously help them in every way possible Even as measures are being taken they are visibly not enough Family members should know their whereabouts Nowadays many apps are available where tracking is possible and live location is easy Anand opinesAt such times the local authorities need to step in and do more than whats already being done Local authorities should involve volunteers in keeping track of neighbourhood activities The police already have started a helpline for women It is important that all cases of domestic violence be registered as a FIR and followed up as well People with a history of committing smalltime crimes should be rehabilitated she concludesWhile there are different measures that can be taken Anand says all women should learn selfdefense and more importantly know how to get out of a toxic relationship in a safe way Protecting oneself with pepper spray or tasers can be used when required she addsAlso Read Keep these lsquoessential itemsrsquo in your bag to protect yourself