- 14-Sep-2025
- Elder & Estate Planning law
The term eve-teasing has long been used in India and other countries to describe acts of street harassment, primarily targeting women. It is often portrayed as harmless or trivial behavior, but it undermines the seriousness of the problem of gender-based violence and harassment in public spaces. By using a term like eve-teasing, society may inadvertently normalize the behavior and reduce the urgency with which it is addressed. A more precise and serious terminology is needed to address street harassment effectively and to reflect its true nature as a form of violence and a violation of women’s rights.
The phrase eve-teasing carries a connotation of harmless fun or light-hearted flirting, minimizing the severity of what is, in reality, a form of sexual harassment. Street harassment, which can include catcalling, lewd comments, stalking, or physical assault, is often dismissed or normalized under the term eve-teasing. This trivialization can discourage victims from speaking out and can also lead to a lack of societal recognition of the emotional, psychological, and physical trauma caused by such harassment.
By using the term eve-teasing, which historically suggests playful or innocent behavior, society fails to recognize street harassment as a serious form of gender-based violence. This normalization of harassment can perpetuate the idea that certain types of behavior—such as objectifying or demeaning women in public spaces—are acceptable, which ultimately works to reinforce power imbalances between men and women.
The use of the term eve-teasing often implies that the victim is somehow complicit or responsible for the harassment. It reinforces the idea that women’s appearance, behavior, or presence in public spaces invites harassment. This victim-blaming mentality makes it difficult for survivors to come forward and report harassment, as they may fear that their experiences will be minimized or dismissed as part of a harmless interaction.
The trivialization of street harassment under terms like eve-teasing has implications for the legal system. If society does not view the behavior as a serious offense, legal mechanisms may not be equipped to adequately address and punish such acts. The legal system may also fail to provide victims with appropriate remedies or protection. Terms like sexual harassment or street harassment are more accurate and help establish a clearer understanding of the behavior as a violation of individual rights.
Shifting from eve-teasing to more appropriate terms such as street harassment, sexual harassment, or gender-based violence would help underscore the serious nature of the problem. These terms acknowledge the harm caused and highlight the fact that harassment is a violation of an individual’s dignity and safety, rather than a trivial or excusable interaction.
Using terms that more accurately describe the issue can raise awareness and encourage both the public and law enforcement to take stronger action. When terms like harassment are used, there is a clearer understanding that such behavior is unacceptable and needs to be addressed at both the social and legal levels. It can also help shift the conversation from one of excusing the behavior to one of accountability.
A shift in language could empower victims by validating their experiences. By reframing street harassment as sexual harassment or gender-based violence, we affirm that victims are not at fault and that their rights have been violated. This can help break the cycle of silence and encourage more women to report harassment without fear of judgment or dismissal.
Clear, accurate terminology can push for stronger legal frameworks that directly address street harassment. While India has laws that address sexual harassment in the workplace under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, there is no specific legal framework that addresses street harassment. More precise legal language would be an important step toward closing this gap and ensuring that such acts of harassment are recognized as criminal offenses.
In a recent case in Delhi, a woman was harassed by a group of men who made inappropriate comments and followed her through public spaces. The incident was widely reported in the media, where it was initially described as eve-teasing. However, when the case was investigated further, it became clear that the men were engaging in serious sexual harassment. Using the term eve-teasing in this case initially downplayed the harm caused, but after legal action was pursued and the correct language was used to describe the offense, the case received more attention, leading to greater societal and legal awareness of the severity of street harassment.
It is crucial to educate the public about the difference between flirting and harassment. Media campaigns, public education initiatives, and social media activism should promote language that treats street harassment as a serious issue, rather than something to be excused or overlooked. By challenging the normalization of harassment, we can change societal attitudes and encourage more respectful behavior in public spaces.
For victims of street harassment to feel comfortable coming forward, it is essential that the legal and social environment supports their actions. This includes using language that acknowledges the seriousness of their experiences. When people see harassment described correctly, it can make them feel more confident in reporting it and seeking justice.
Legal reforms are needed to address the issue of street harassment explicitly. Adopting and implementing laws that recognize and criminalize street harassment can help provide victims with a means of recourse. A clear legal framework would send a strong message that such behavior will not be tolerated.
The term eve-teasing trivializes the reality of street harassment and perpetuates a culture where gender-based violence is normalized. To combat this issue effectively, we must adopt more accurate and serious terminology, such as street harassment or sexual harassment. Such a shift in language will help raise awareness, empower victims, and encourage stronger legal protections. Society must recognize that all forms of harassment, whether in the workplace or public spaces, are serious offenses that violate individual rights and dignity. By changing the language, we can begin to change the way we address and prevent street harassment in India and beyond.
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