#WhyIDidntReport: Sharing unreported cases of sexual abuse

Women across the world have faced sexual harassment. Here is why many decided against reporting them

The first time it happened, I was 11. I was at a friend’s house with some playmates. We were playing hide-and-seek in the community park. Her cousin, a young man with a lanky frame, repeatedly tried to corner me, to hug and touch me. He was hurting me, I kept trying to escape.

Later, feeling thirsty, I went up to drink water. As I returned from the kitchen to the living room, I saw him waiting, staring. I realised I was alone with him in the room, my heart raced and I dashed towards the main door. I locked him in and ran down.

I still remember sitting under the shower crying that evening. I felt dirty.

The next time, I was 14. And, it was a distant relative. But, these were not the only two incidents.

I never spoke to my parents or friends about these grim experiences. Sometimes, I didn’t know what to tell them or I was scared. At times, I thought it was my mistake.

Culture of abuse

Thousands of women, have finally answered on social media with the hashtag #Ididntreportit. They used the viral hashtag to discuss the sexual harassment they faced at school, home, work, on the roads and everywhere else, and why they remained silent.

Tweep @Dayniaa posted: “Because I was 13 and he was my cousin’s grandfather. #IDidntReport although my family knew and stood by and did nothing.”

Have we normalised this whole culture of abuse? According to some women, they reported, but were not believed. When others reported, they were told to deal with it. Hashtag #BelieveSurvivors also quickly became a trend as women shared their stories.

Women all across the world seem to have accepted these incidents as a part of their lives. However, many of those who didn’t report, have come out to express that they wish they had spoken up sooner.