How Power Dynamics Continue to Shield Abusers

Picking up the newspaper today and reading of how women are treated merely as object of pleasure where the perpetrators are your own employers, guardians, friends and acquaintances makes one think where we are heading to as a society. While growing up in a small town it was a rule to return home before dusk sets in to ensure safety of especially the girls. Coming from a small hill town, the harassment young girls face in bigger towns was never heard of. If you lost your way or if your moped broke down, it was absolutely safe to seek help from a passerby, even if they were strangers. However, moving to Delhi in search of a job revealed a harsh reality: asking for directions when lost on the road was risky. People would often mislead or exploit you, fully aware that you were new to the surroundings. It took time to realise that bigger cities have a social structure very different from smaller Himalayan towns, where people tend to be much simpler.

Pic Credit: Deccan Herald

A recent case surfaced, revealing over 3,000 videos of sexual abuse by a politician whose family is highly respected in the society. This Member of Parliament was physically abusing female workers under his employment, which reminded me of an incident involving a maid who once worked at my house. One day, she told me about an incident in the neighborhood where she had recently started working. She said that the man of the house was not of good character and made repeated advances at her in the absence of his wife. When I asked her why she doesn’t leave the job and find a new one, she said that leaving is not always an option, referring to her personal issues. I suggested her to report the incident, but she refrained, fearing her husband would suspect her intentions and send her back to their village. She wanted to stay and work in Delhi.

While this may be a small incident compared to the Prajwal Revanna case, but the fact remains that women are not safe in their workplaces. Everywhere it is the same old story, whether in corporate set up, government office, media, rehabilitation & training institute or start-up – there is no exaggeration in saying that women have to bear the brunt of harassment and abuse in some way for the other. To say that women are safe at home and should remain indoors is also untrue, as there are countless incidents involving family members, neighbours, and people well known to the victims.

Our everyday lives are filled with examples of abuse. In the Prajwal Revanna case, it is hard to fathom what these women are going through and their future plight. Files found on a pen drive contain screenshots and video calls, including videos of a housemaid who was kidnapped on the orders of H.D. Revanna, an MLA from Hassan, Karnataka and son of the former Prime Minister Shri H D Deve Gowda. The number of women who have been victims in the Prajwal Revanna case isn’t just one or two but nearly 90, according to police estimates. But what is ironical is that this is not a lone incident.

Do you remember the ‘Me Too’ movement that swept through our country, challenging workplace harassment and exposing stories hidden for too long? Starting on social media with the hashtag #MeToo, it quickly became a global phenomenon, demanding accountability across industries and breaking the silence that had long protected abusers. Survivors courageously shared their experiences, revealing the widespread nature of sexual harassment and abuse in workplaces worldwide. The movement did empower individuals to stand up against oppressive power dynamics and called for systemic change, leading organisations and governments to reevaluate policies and prioritise safer environments.

In India, the movement marked a turning point, urging people to reflect on societal structures perpetuating these abuses. Yet, recent events involving the wrestlers in Delhi highlight that challenges persist. These athletes, at the forefront of Indian sports, were forced to go public with their abuse allegations after their voices were repeatedly ignored. Their courage mirrors the Me Too movement’s spirit, highlighting persistent power imbalances that protect perpetrators while exposing victims to scrutiny and injustice. Their struggle is a sobering reminder that we still have a long way to go in ensuring justice, accountability, and safe environments for all.

There seems to be no end to crime against women, and the Prajwal Revanna scandal is yet another eye-opener, underscoring the broader issue of how individuals with power and privilege often escape accountability for heinous crimes. This case starkly reminds us that perpetrators commit egregious acts and continue to live unperturbed due to their influence, wealth, and connections.

And how often do we think of those women, who may not be a direct victim of abuse, but are judged, questioned, blamed and even ostracised just for being there. For example, a boss may be a perpetrator but that doesn’t mean he hits at every other woman working under him. And then, if he gets caught, or is pointed out, all the other female employees are seen in the same frame as either being a victim or targeted for being hand in glove with the system. They are automatically placed in one bracket or the other for taking sides. The societal pressure puts them on the backfoot of trying to save oneself and family reputation. In most cases, women and their families leave their jobs, place of residence to avoid, shame, blame game and regular questioning.

The problem arises from an imbalance and abuse of power, creating an environment where those in influential positions feel entitled to exploit, abuse, or harass those who are less privileged. This sense of entitlement is fueled by societal norms, structural inequalities, and systemic issues that empower perpetrators to act with impunity while silencing victims. Addressing this imbalance is crucial to ensure accountability, justice, and safer environment for all.

How can we change social norms?

Sensitise our boys to understand that a no means a no and one cannot force themselves on the other gender, thinking that they are a superior sex, more powerful than the other. Raise your voice, support the victim, know your rights, question the system if harassment committee is not in place, stand with each other, keep the numbers of agencies that offer support at the time of need, advocate for policies that protect women, and actively challenge harmful norms. Whether it is mentoring a colleague, volunteering at an NGO, or writing to policymakers, each step contributes to the safer, just world we all envision. Together, we can redefine society by eliminating the entitlement and silence that fuel abuse, paving a path where dignity, equality, and safety are assured for everyone.