Every girl deserves to grow up in a world where her laughter is not shadowed by fear. Yet, in today’s India, that innocence is under threat. The numbers are horrifying, but the reality is far beyond statistics because behind every report lies countless untold stories of trauma, silence, and injustice.
An Everyday Horror We Don’t Talk About Enough
In almost every corner of our country, urban or rural, rich or poor, young girls are facing some form of sexual harassment. From public transport to classrooms, from homes to playgrounds, no place feels completely safe.
And the most disturbing part? Almost every single girl in India has faced some form of sexual harassment, be it an inappropriate touch, a comment, a stare, or worse.
Many incidents go unreported. Sometimes out of fear. Sometimes out of shame. And often because society still blames the victim more than the offender.
The Normalization of Abuse
We’ve normalized “small” acts of harassment brushing off an inappropriate comment as “boys being boys” or a touch in a crowd as an accident. But these “small” incidents are where the violence begins. Every time we remain silent, we allow another predator to believe he can get away with it.
The truth is, sexual harassment is not about desire, it’s about power, control, and entitlement. It is an act that steals confidence, self-worth, and a sense of safety from a child who deserves nothing but love and care.
Where We Are Failing
- Lack of awareness and education — Many children don’t even realize they are being harassed because we never talk about “good touch and bad touch” openly.
- Victim blaming and stigma — Families often hush the matter to “protect family honor.”
- Weak implementation of laws — Though India has the POCSO Act (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences), delays in trials and poor conviction rates weaken its impact.
- Social apathy — We see, we know, and yet, too often, we remain silent.
Change begins with conversation : uncomfortable but necessary conversations.
- Educate every child — Teach them about boundaries, consent, and the courage to speak up.
- Empower parents and teachers — So they can recognize the signs and support victims without shame or hesitation.
- Demand accountability — From schools, authorities, and the justice system.
- Create safe spaces — Online and offline, where survivors can share their stories and seek help.
Let’s Make Silence Unacceptable
This is not just a women’s issue. This is a human issue.
When a girl loses her sense of safety, we lose a part of our humanity. We cannot build an empowered nation while our daughters are growing up in fear.
It’s time to raise our voices as parents, educators, citizens, and changemakers to say “Enough.”
No girl should ever have to live with trauma disguised as “just another experience.”
At SheLit, we believe that awareness is the first step toward transformation. Let’s educate, empower, and ensure that every child in India grows up safe, respected, and fearless.