No, Goa is no longer safe considering violence and aggression against them. Men must change their mindset towards women while the best protection a woman can have is courage. If you talk to your daughter about safety, talk to your son about consent.
-Priyanka Patil, Taekwondo instructor and housewife
“Today Goa is not safe for people and also for tourism. Government is not stable because everybody wants to make a pie. The rise in crimes, rapes and daylight murder of a goldsmith in Margao last year shows that police have become puppets. The government is more seen using and misusing police machinery against their opponents. We are not in democracy but under dictatorship.”
Savio Castello,
Guest House Owner, Benaulim
“Criminals have scant respect for the law and they are well protected by lawmakers themselves. The people cannot depend on law enforcing authorities as seen in case of notorious criminal Anwar Sheikh where people had to have their own line of defence in Goa and Karnataka. Today criminals can get away with impunity and strike terror in the hearts of the people.”
Filastro Cardozo,
Ex-Deputy Sarpanch, Varca
“There is total collapse of law and order in the State. Police have become puppets in the hands of the government. Police machinery is misused to give protection to all sorts of illegalities. The recent example was when Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant himself tried to flex his muscles when his opponents Congress organised Sudbudhi yatra at Sankhali.”
Sudip Tamhankar, Bus Owner, Ribandar
“Safety of citizens is at stake. Sexual assault on women and children in Goa have increased considerably with respect to reported cases, there may be unreported cases also. It is deplorable that five crimes reported against women during extended curfew in Goa. The Constitution of India imposes responsibility on the State to ensure safety of women and children. There should be proper and consistent monitoring of our government to check all safety measures are followed by police.
In October 2020 after Hathras sexual assault case, the Centre had issued a fresh advisory to all States on safety of women and children and how to deal with crimes against them. They also said that any failure of police to adhere to laid down rules does not augur well for delivery of justice. Did the police administration in our State follow these rules?
In December 2020 our State govt decided to form special police force to patrol Goan beaches and places which are unmanned in order to stop crimes committed by anti-social elements and ensure safety of citizens. Were these police manning the beaches when the Benaulim sexual assault case happened?
A proper speedy investigation by police is essential for the arrest of criminals and there should strong measures taken by the police which will deter and fear the criminals from committing crimes.
Irresponsible statements without proper thinking of some persons sitting on responsible position, thereby blaming the survival is very unethical.
Government has a legal and moral responsibility to ensure safety of women and children. Police administration should refrain themselves from making blatant statements and hurriedly jumping to conclusion without proper investigation in any crimes against women and children, which will also fail to bring justice to survivals or deceased. There are stringent laws but there are to be implemented.
Law can’t change intolerant illiberal and conservative mind set of society. Goa is very small State compared to other States, failure of law and order is dangerous to safety of women and children but also for tourism image of State will also be tarnished.
Adv Sphurti Kothare, Navelim
“Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant should immediately step down for complete law and order breakdown in the State. Five rape incidents are reported in the State within a month. In last seven months 14 rape cases, 12 molestation cases and 15 kidnapping of minors are reported in Goa. Today criminals have no deterrent of police are they are emboldened.”
Beena Naik, President, Goa Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee
“I don’t think that law and order is collapsing in Goa. Police are trying their best and crime detection rate is good in Goa compared to other parts of India. Women and children are safe in the State and one or two incidents cannot shy away from the good crime detection rate. Conviction rate is also high in Goa.
Adv Prasad Naik, Margao
It’s no more safe for women and children in Goa as rape cases are increasing day by day. There’s no proper investigation done to punish the culprits, Rapists are roaming freely for their next target. There should be CCTV cameras fixed all around to maintain law and order.
-Joe D’Costa, Musician Curchorem
Considering the rising number of cases in the state, it seems women is no longer very safe in Goa. We need to retrospect and also take care of ourselves & our loved ones without just putting entire responsibility on state & police. Most of the episodes are self invited troubles by preferring to stay at odd hours at lonely places. I am somewhere challenging freedom to movement here but we need to make our choices and preferences of staying safe or keep on challenging and looking for the ideal system.
-Dr Pradnya Kakodkar, Curchorem
Goa is no more a heaven, especially for women. In recent past we have seen many incidents of sexual attack and atrocities on women. Our elders tell us that once upon a time Goa was safe for girls and women. Now Goa is turning into a most unsafe place for women. Our police should be proactive and must provide safe environment in Goa. Judiciary must come down heavily on those involved in uncivilised acts on women. Every parent must teach their sons to respect women. Inculcate value of respect to women in boys. Those who are in Government may be public representatives or may be officers but they must know that it’s their responsibility to give security to every girl child and women.
Tanya Fernandes – Teacher, Sanvordem
Our culture, mythology and religion tell us to respect women. On one side we perform pooja of Saraswati, Laxmi, Durga and Shantadurga and on the other hand girls with similar names are abused and sexually assaulted and culprits go scot free. Why can’t girls and women in this beautiful tiny State get safe environment to live? We have many Narkasuras in our own State. Many incidents of assault on women and girls which took place in our State in the recent past are worrisome. Those who are involved in such crimes must get tough punishment. Our police force and government must not spare those who involved in such acts. It is not enough to teach morality to girls, but it is important to impart this to the boys and teach every male to respect girls and women.
Vrusha Dessai – MBBS Student, Cuncolim
Women and girl child is totally not safe in Goa State. Travelling alone nowadays is absolutely out of our mind due to lack of law and order in our society. Many problems occur especially recent rape cases have created havoc in the society and hatred towards and law and the only way to tackle I feel the government should come up with more intense punishments so that the criminal minds get a message about the seriousness of the crime, says a woman
Sheikh Nilaufer, Valpoi
Personal safety depends on how one takes care of oneself. You are safe as long as you know how to remain safe. Future safety of women and children depends on how well the police handle such crimes. If the police take strict actions against the culprits then no one in future will dare to think of doing any crime against women or children. Can’t expect government to keep police in each and every corner of the state
Anagha Kamat Sambary from Valpoi
“Rising rape and paedophile cases have put Goa in the limelight once again. It’s the duty of administration and common people to safeguard the interest of woman and children in the State of Goa. Let’s pledge to report any suspicious activity in and around so that the required social policing is in place to stop these miscreants.
-Gayatri Desai, Ponda, housewife
“Statistically, Goa has a lower rate of assault against women and children as compared to other States, but that doesn’t prove that it is any safer. It is equally the responsibility of the government as well as every citizen to be vigilant towards such atrocities.
Ashni, a Porvorim student
“Being a Goan myself and having spent years of my life here, I would hands down vote for Goa as the most safest State for women, both local and tourist. However, the recent rise in rapes is horrifying, making me re-consider my statement!
-Simran Mahatme, Physiotherapist Bicholim
“When we talk about safety of women or children, it is something to do with one self. As a mother it becomes my responsibility to ensure safety of my child. So also as a woman. We cannot depend on government or police for our safety alone. We are equally responsible”
Riddhi Kamat, Vasco, housewife
The thing is we are dealing with cases of violence against women and children, and our experience has been that no action is forthcoming immediately in almost all the cases that we handle. The investigation, the arrests don’t happen and so the impression to the accused is that you can do things and get away with it. So obviously the accused are emboldened and most of the cases we handle, they always run to political parties for support. You will find elected representatives supporting them for vote bank. It has become a vote bank politics despite knowing the accused have committed a crime.
-Sabina Martins, Women activist and NGO Bailancho Saad Convener
Goa has always been a safe place for women, but recent incidents and State’s subsequent victim-blaming approach has made women – locals as well as tourists guess if Goa is safe anymore
Shruti Chaturvedi, Founder, Chaaipani (media platform)
In comparison with other States in India, Goa is relatively safe but the safety scenario for women in the State has come under the scanner in the past months with rapes and other crimes against women going unchecked. Goa is no longer the idyllic place it once was, when we could move about freely without fear of being assaulted or attacked. The government should be held responsible for putting a proper law and order ordinance in place. We need the current mindset to change where the onus is put on women. Regressive attitudes need to be changed and stringent laws that deal with crimes against women can help better the situation
– Sybil Rodrigues
As I look at my five-month old daughter, a shiver runs down my spine as I worry and wonder what lies ahead for us women. The choice to bring up my children in Goa was largely based on the fact that it was a safe and family oriented place, drastically opposite to the picture we see today. My heart goes out to all the victims and I urge everyone to focus more on raising our sons to respect and protect women rather than teaching our daughters to beware.
Michelle Gouveia
-x-x-x-x
We are living in times where nobody can be trusted anymore. All we can do now is look out for each other, especially all the women around. Some men have let humanity down to the lowest point. To all the men out there, these women are someone’s daughter, wife, mother, cousin, aunt or friend. Put yourself in the shoes of these families before even having a thought of generally teasing any woman. Goans have to look after Goans. Police patrolling at the beaches would have helped a little bit but no, they are used only when we have a terrorist threat. Goa isn’t what it used to be sadly anymore.
-Rinton D’Souza
The recent scenario of crimes in Goa is leading the State towards a major social security disaster. What is shocking is that the government and the police department are not seen taking this seriously, and more especially safety of women. It is high time that the government takes a step forward in order to safeguard the identity of Goa with regard to safety.
-Ryan Dias, Fatorda
No. We are not safe in our own State. It is hard to digest that the crimes against women is increasing day by day, and there is no fear amongst the criminals. Goa is not safe. Situations are such that anything thing can happen to anyone even while walking on the roadside.
-Ruchika Naik, Margao
Goa was once considered the safe place in the whole country and that was one of the reasons tourists were seen rushing to the State. But at the moment Goans have fear of insecurity with regard to safety. No one can deny that the government has failed miserably in giving safety to the people. Nowadays even the minor girls are not safe in Goa, and we don’t know what will be the situation in the future if such things continue.
-Menino Fernandes, Benaulim
‘Definitely yes Goa is safe for women and children too. Incidents taking place in Goa do not determine safety. It’s cruelty within a human which give results in such pathetic unwanted scenes in Goa”
-Chandani Uttam Naik, a teacher
“Goa is safe for women and child but safety is a concern because Goa is at present full of migrants from different States who have disturbed the environment of Goa. Goa is safe with our Goans’ existence”
-Sneha Salgaonkar a young working women
The surveillance system needs to checked and upgraded. Police patrolling needs to increase. Asking girls to stay at home at night is not a solution. Sex education is necessary to ensure exposure to kids.
-Valerie Afonso, Chicalim youth
Goa is slowly turning into Delhi. Goa was never like this. It is shameful to see rapes increasing in our State. Now every time girls want to step out of their house, we’ll have to think twice before doing so. Instead of trying to control girls, please make Goa safe again. It is the responsibility of every citizen including the govt.
-Stefanie Lucas, Chicalim youth
Entering into Goa’s unsafe journey feels reckless. Hearing the news of rising rape cases one feels the down fall of humanity along with fading safety! Justice, strict laws and educational awareness is the need of Goa right now!
-Pranali Parab ,Vasco youth
