Shillong, Mar 27: The Me Too movement does not garner headlines like it once did but the lurid Epstein scandal certainly has made it all too clear that women and children continue to face sexual harassment and the perpetrators continue to avoid justice.
In Meghalaya local girls are bravely taking to social media to confront their childhood predators and releasing their own past traumas through testimonials.
The recent one began with a comment by a girl we shall call AA on an Instagram reel posted by a well-known award-winning entrepreneur, speaker and impact coach about peace and clarity.
AA’s comment, which went viral, not only raised eyebrows and pinned the alleged “predator”, (who has since deactivated his social media accounts) but encouraged and prompted another woman, BB, to find her voice and share her past trauma.
“A little context to the story, he is a prominent figure in the social scene who happened to be a cousin of mine. When I was 16 he sent me lewd messages and made me feel absolutely disgusted and uncomfortable despite me trying to diffuse the conversation and reminding him that he was a brother to me. On one occasion, I was left numb because of his action. I carried this unnecessary guilt and shame with me for years because who would believe me right? I never spoke about this, only when confronted about this trauma during therapy 2 years ago. Now it is definitely time to call out these predators who lurk around with their masks on! Shame on these people who prey on us!” BB said.
She added, “On a random Wednesday, I am here to share my story not out of spite but to tell every woman and girl out there that I believe you and these men will never get away with this.”
BB acknowledged that the comment on the post gave her enough courage to speak out and thanked her for the “bold step”.
“16 year old me would have never thought she would see this day!!! Seeing your predator being called out before 11 am is a top tier feeling! Believe every women and girls when they tell you their story experiences.”
On the other side, AA found someone who shares the same story. She wrote, “A weight is lifted today from my shoulders. Don’t let years pass before you help someone lift theirs. This is no longer my story alone. In the wake of this all, the only theme of responses I have received has been: – about time he got caught – he did this to me – he did this to someone I know. My experience was but a little flame compared to the fire he burned through some of these now-women’s lives. Let their stories speak and if not, encourage parents to create safe spaces. The child is NEVER at fault. Let girls speak. Believe them Let that be a truer change than virality.”
She also took to writing in a blog titled, ‘Character Assassination: Who did it first?’ and said, “After yesterday, I feel like a weight has lifted, and there’s one less trauma for me to carry. I feel like I have passed that torch onto him now. Finally.”
Sharing her journey towards healing she added, “You cannot shame me into silence. That language no longer works on me. I do not even know what that word means.”
The online platforms have become safe havens where these girls can unite, offering support, understanding and validation.
As these women refused to come out to speak openly to the traditional press, Highland Post sought to get the perspective of a psychologist. According to the expert, the victims are in a “preparatory stage” and by voicing out the past event (s) it could have helped tap down their mental wellbeing.
The expert noted, “Sharing with the press risks bringing unwanted public attention or legal complications that a survivor might not be prepared for.”
Meanwhile sources informed that the Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW) and the Meghalaya State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR) have taken cognisance of the traumatised posts and are in verbal discussions with the police. By tomorrow some concrete statement will hopefully emerge from the authorities.
The authorities cannot afford to take the matter lightly given his status. The accused is an educator with a coaching and life skills academy that, through government contracts, has engaged with thousands of children over the last few years across the state.
Knowledgeable persons said that under the POCSO Act there is no statute of limitations and the aggrieved child can file FIR even after decades have passed. Further, legal eagles point out that the stringent Act also has a section that says that keeping silent after coming to know about a POCSO case is in itself a crime liable for prosecution.
