Chennai Express Singer Chinmayi Sripada Groped At An Event; Shares Details Of The Horrific Incident On Social Media

Chennai Express singer Chinmayi Sripada was molested at an event recently. She took to Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to share details of the horrific incident. "After almost aeons I got groped at an event yesterday. I happened to share this story on Instagram and what shocked me is how many men and women have been molested as children (teachers, brothers, co-passengers, uncles, grandparents and even women)."

In a series of posts on social media, Chinmayi went on to talk about sexual harassment and urged people to speak up against it. "Most common places- Their own home, public transport, places of worship, educational institutions. Most girls and boys haven’t mustered the strength to share it with their family and friends coz no one would believe it. Even if girls have a chance of being heard, men have NONE. Men are shamed if they share an account of sexual assault/molestation during childhood. Women who gathered the courage to share have been blames “she enjoyed it”. Imagine grown adults accusing a child of enjoying sexual assault. And other seemingly sane adults believing it," she said.

The singer also added, "Not to mention - women shaming other women who have been molested/harassed. And commenting on ‘you dress/look like that you are asking for it’ I think women need to be trained first on victim blaming and shaming. Girls are afraid of telling their parents that they ll made to stay at home and would be stopped from going to work/study. I believed things changed based on my own circle of fantastic men and women. Not so, clearly."

Requesting everyone to speak up against such issues, she concluded by saying, "Please - stop shaming the victims, their lipstick, hair, skin colour, clothes, attitude, talent, intelligence, whatever. Boys are at an equal risk of sexual abuse. Many are traumatised for life. Please understand they need the support as well. Dont shame. Thank you. As for victims - speak up, yell, slap those who touch you without your consent. When groped we are temporarily stunned into silence - including me. This is usually the window the assaulter uses to his advantage. Finally, it is NOT your fault. Be kind on yourself. Love yourself." The singer did not file an official complaint against the miscreants.

You know, be it men or women, these acts of sexual harassment take place every day, in every nook and corner of our country. And what's appalling is that inspite of it being highlighted umpteen times, molesters tend to get away with it easily. Such is the plight of our country.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 13, 2018 12:13 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).