Anti-rape protests aren’t pointless if they alter the behaviour of perpetrators

livemint.com:

In recent days, the streets of Calcutta and Kerala have witnessed many protests against violence aimed at women. Will these protests change the attitudes of individuals or society at large towards women? Violence against women is a very complex behavioural issue. The incident that happened in the Kolkata hospital and the incidents that occurred in the Malayalam film industry represent two ends of the problem spectrum.

A man with evil intentions, a hapless woman, a desolate place, night-time: the tragic incident that took place in the Kolkata hospital was an unfortunate confluence of multiple factors within a small time span. For example, had there been another person in that hospital seminar hall, the perpetrator may possibly have been deterred from his evil act. Will street protests prevent the coming together of various factors, much like in any open system, and stop the next violent act against a woman? It is almost impossible to create situations where no girl will ever be alone in a desolate spot at night.

What we most acutely need to change is the behaviour of those inclined towards such evil perpetrated on women. That too is not easy. So, is there any space for optimism? The Malayalam film industry presents a different context compared to the Kolkata hospital.

Various players and work situations in the film industry are interconnected with some degree of consistency. Their actions, even by perpetrators, are relatively organized. So, while I am not so optimistic in the short-term of preventing yet another random convergence of factors, as it seems to have happened in Kolkata, I am confident that in a context like the Malayalam film industry’s, where the actions of perpetrators are less unpredictable, the protests