‘Why did she go there?’: How the onus of safety keeps falling on women

The question echoes through history and across cultures: "Why was she there?" It arises after acts of violence against women, subtly shifting blame from the perpetrator to the victim. This ingrained mindset searches for reasons for sexual violence in women's behavior rather than men's decisions.

This pattern isn't new. In 2013, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader invoked a mythological boundary, cautioning women to stay "within limits" to avoid abduction. The remark drew criticism, but the underlying message was clear: a woman must have crossed a line for violence to occur.

Fast forward to October 2025, when a medical student was gang-raped near her campus after going out to dinner. In response, a political figure stated that "girls should not be allowed to come outside at night-time". Despite the backlash and claims of distortion, the focus again shifted from the crime to policing women's behavior.

This victim-blaming isn't confined to politics; it can seep into judicial language. Such statements reflect a long-standing pattern where responsibility quietly shifts from the perpetrator to the victim.

This isn't about individual remarks but about a deeply embedded mindset that seeks causes of sexual violence in women's conduct rather than men's decisions. A recent survey revealed that a significant majority of girls and young women in the UK alter their behavior to feel safe, with many avoiding going out after dark or changing what they wear.

The issue extends beyond physical safety, encompassing freedom from violence, coercion, and discrimination in all aspects of life. Women's safety is a measure of how just and equal a society is. When "women's safety" is mentioned, many envision a woman walking alone at night, keys in hand, alert to every sound.

Societal structures, communities, and governments must play a vital role in ensuring women's safety. Governments should enforce anti-harassment and gender violence laws, ensuring accessible and efficient reporting mechanisms. Urban planning should prioritize safe lighting, surveillance, and public transit. Community support, such as neighborhood watch groups and bystander intervention training, can help women feel supported.

The responsibility for women's safety should not solely rest on women's shoulders. It is a societal responsibility to ensure a safe environment for women, which is a fundamental step towards building a just, equitable, and progressive society. Ensuring women's safety involves education and awareness, stronger laws and implementation, the use of technology, and community support and vigilance.

Ultimately, creating safer spaces involves a shift in focus towards disrupting perpetrators. This includes prevention and ensuring effective measures to prevent known offenders from committing further offenses. It also requires addressing entrenched patriarchy and misogyny and instilling in boys the notion that girls are equals who deserve respect.