Recalling the ordeal, Vim Reddy revealed that during the journey, she felt someone persistently touching her thigh. Initially, she felt that she would not be able to cope with the situation, even though the bus was full and dimly lit.
“It was a while ago, when I was working at a newspaper company. That day, after I finished reporting, I got on the bus to go back to the office to submit my report. All the while, I felt someone making unwanted contact with my body. Trapped in a crowded bus and with limited visibility, I couldn’t react,” she said.
To her shock and dismay, Vim Reddy later discovered that a person believed to be a friend of the driver sitting next to her had ejaculated up her skirt. Overwhelmed by her anger and disgust, she involuntarily slapped her assailant, prompting other passengers to intervene and take further retaliation.
“After the passengers alighted, I came to my senses and realized that the driver’s fellow had committed this dastardly act. In a fit of rage, I slapped him and my fellow commuters joined in to confront him. Despite their urging to involve the authorities, I hesitated,” Vim Reddy revealed.
Fearing potential stigma and victim blaming, Vim Reddy chose not to report the incident to the police. She acknowledged the widespread occurrence of such assaults on women on public transport and highlighted the lasting psychological impact of the ordeal.
“The trauma of that incident remains with me. It was a shocking and violating experience. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated case. Many women endure similar harassment on their way to work. It is a pervasive problem that requires
Vim Reddy urged both authorities and society to take decisive action to combat sexual violence, and urged young women to be vigilant about their surroundings and interactions.
Her candid account caused a stir on social media, sparking reactions ranging from sympathy and solidarity to outrage. She shared that many users had experienced sexual assault themselves, and she emphasized the urgent need to address and eradicate such illegal acts.