Crime against woman is the only crime where a victim is blamed
When leaders respond to violence by advising women to be more cautious, they shift blame from perpetrator to victim. The same mindset seeps into workplaces. Fear silences people. Safety is not created by policies alone, but by cultures where people trust they’ll be heard and supported.
Recently, two Australian women cricketers were groped in Indore. A minister’s response was that they should have informed the authorities before leaving the hotel and that players should be cautious while stepping out since they have a huge fan following. In another case, following the gang rape of a medical student, a Chief Minister remarked that girls should protect themselves and avoid going out at night.
These are not isolated comments. They reflect a pattern we see all too often. When a crime is committed against a woman, the questions begin:
What was she wearing?
Why was she out late?
Was she drinking?
We rarely see such questions asked of victims of other crimes. No one asks a murder victim why they were out late or a burglary victim why they didn’t lock their door better. Yet, when it comes to crimes against women, responsibility is often shifted from the perpetrator to the victim.
Unfortunately, these patterns show up in workplaces as well.
If a woman is serious, she’s told to smile more.
If she asserts herself, she’s too bossy or too aggressive.
If she raises a concern, she’s asked, “Are you sure this is what happened?”
When we view POSH only through a compliance lens, we may tick boxes but miss the bigger picture. Policies alone don’t make workplaces safe. Cultures do.
During workshops, when I share case studies, someone almost always says, “If she was uncomfortable, she should have spoken up.”
And I always ask, “What could be some reasons why she didn’t?”
The answer is always the same: Fear
Fear of being judged.Fear of not being believed.
Fear of losing one’s job or reputation.
Fear of being labelled difficult.
If we know that fear silences people, then that’s exactly where organisations need to focus their attention. Because, people will not speak up if they do not trust the system. Empowerment doesn’t come from telling a woman, “You should have said something.” It comes from creating a culture where she can say something and know she’ll be heard.Safe workplaces are not built by policies. They are built by people. True empowerment happens when:
- Leaders believe the victims and their stories
- Employees know that the organisation will support them if they speak up
- Actions are taken swiftly and fairly
- The redressal process is transparent and just
When leaders defend the perpetrators or question the victim, they normalise the crime. But when leaders take accountability and lead with empathy, fairness, and courage, that’s when compliance turns into culture and safety becomes everyone’s responsibility. So, if you’re a leader, start by asking yourself:
- Do my people feel safe to speak up?
- Do they trust that I’ll listen without judgement?
- Do they believe that fairness will outweigh hierarchy?