Hema Committee report: Why abuse survivors speak up years after the incident?

The Hema Committee report has exposed the abuse, inequality, casting couch and sexual misconduct faced by women in the Malayalam cinema industry. However, those who support the accused wonder why these women have been silent all these years. They even question the reliability of their statements and even ask for evidence to prove their claim. Meanwhile, some others believe that the women may be making false accusations just to grab attention or out of spite because they didn’t get opportunities or fame in the movies.

Lots of people face mental and physical abuse, irrespective of their gender, in society. Meanwhile, in the cinema industry, most of the cases are that of sexual misconduct, rape or asking for sexual favours in return for roles. Human beings are also sexual beings who derive pleasure from sexual relations and fantasies. However, both partners can enjoy the pleasure when they are comfortable with each other and also when there is consent between them. Rape happens when someone uses force or coerces an individual to enter into sexual relations with them. This is wrong and is a crime that is punishable under law. The Malayali conscience is shocked when we hear news reports of an eight-month-old girl child or an eighty-year-old woman getting raped. However, we seldom realise the mental and physical impact or trauma, such a vile act could create in a girl or a woman.

Mental impact
Studies have been conducted about the mental and physical conditions of rape victims mostly in Western countries. The findings, which are quite shocking, reveal how most people haven’t been able to come out of the mental trauma or disturbances, even 10 – 16 years after the incident.
Rape trauma syndrome
Psychologists see rape as a crime that causes severe self-loath among victims and is more dreadful and traumatic than any other disaster. Society could refrain from victim blaming or shaming only if they can understand this. Women who have been sexually abused may react in many ways. Spontaneous or long-term mental issues could trouble them. They might get provoked easily, get delirious or experience severe depression. Meanwhile, some people refuse to accept the trauma by making themselves believe that ‘all is fine’. Some others struggle to get past the shock and cannot accept the reality. Being indifferent, losing the ability to react, memory loss, finding it difficult to recall the date and time of the incident, lack of sleep, palpitation, shortness of breath and shivering are some of the symptoms shown by the victims. Meanwhile, some are eager to find solutions themselves to face the trauma.

They acquire a mental state where they may trivialise the incident, make themselves believe that they are fine, self-harming by suppressing the memories (chances are scarce that they will open up to others) or dramatize the events by constantly narrating it to people. Meanwhile, there are also chances that the victims might turn to a self-destructive path by seeking solace in drugs. This disturbed mental state would eventually transform into physical discomfort and subsequent health problems. Apart from those who dramatize the events, others who try different types of coping mechanisms are unlikely to open up about their experiences.
Why do they stay silent?
Fear is the primary reason why victims hesitate to reveal their experiences. They are scared that the perpetrator will hurt her again or that someone else will abuse her sexually. Moreover, they are worried about living or going out alone. They might even get frightened seeing other men.
The victims are perturbed thinking about whether society would blame them, whether they would be isolated from their family and friends or whether they would ever get a life partner. Moreover, she is worried whether she has destroyed the ‘good’ name of her family.

Helplessness
The victims feel helpless as they are aware of the harrowing experiences faced by women in past cases. The support extended to the victim during the initial days of the case gradually fizzled out, leaving her helpless and agonised. In some cases, neither the police nor the government show any determination to catch the criminal, especially if a ‘’famous’ person is involved. Besides, the delay in the court proceedings, heavy fees charged by the lawyers and the unending trial drive victims away from seeking legal aid. Moreover, they are scared to recall and repeat the same dreadful moments that they wish to forget, causing them mental and physical trauma. The untrue claims and arguments presented by the defence lawyers in the court and the humiliating questions posed to the victims further put them in distress. Such situations are sure to make the victims, who are already suffering extreme pain, feel helpless. Besides, the accused may even try to threaten or persuade her to change her statement.

Threats and isolation
The threats and isolation faced by the victims from concerned authorities force them to stay silent. We mustn’t forget the history where those who were supposed to enforce the law had turned into predators. Such people take advantage of the victim’s hesitation to file complaints or raise the issue.
Feeling insulted
Victims are unable to suffer losing the pride and honour that they enjoy in society or their official roles. They refrain from opening up as they can’t suffer the shame when others know about their problem.
Why open up now?
The main reasons why women find the courage to open up years later is because of favourable scenarios and also the confidence that there are people who would understand them and stand with them. The society gets agitated only when their idols are shattered. The victims can speak up only when the predators begin to lose their support. Now, they feel that they would be protected; this feeling of safety gives tremendous strength to a woman to speak up.

It is possible to unmask misogynists and those who exploit women. Currently, the Hema Committee report has been able to scare many abusive men. Moreover, this would generate momentum, ensuring safer working spaces and favourable conditions for women. The victims who are still hiding, fearing the predators, should come out and speak up. This is nothing short of a fight, one that would be admired and appreciated by the world. The writer is a consultant psychiatrist at the Medical Trust Hospital, Ernakulam.