Not a day passes by without a mention of some crime being committed in the state. Yesterday
one was remanded in custody for attempting to murder a former teacher. Another
four accused for murder were appealing for bail. Earlier in the week the police
in Anjuna busted a sex racket and rescued four women. Sadly on the eve of
Diwali a minor girl was raped and attempted suicide. In the last six years, a
minimum of 60 rape cases have been reported every year since 2016. This year it
can be said that the number of cases will perhaps reach a high. Till November
around 57 or more odd cases were registered. All these incidents of crime indicate
that it has indicated dramatically in the state.
For women in the state it is a matter of
great concern. Not actually, but the crime rates are increasing drastically.
Abisha Fernandes, a student in a college in Panjim felt an increase in the number
of people coming to Goa for jobs for a short period of time could be one of the
reasons. She however felt it was also important to bring gender equality in Goa
and in the rest of the country. She felt a change in attitude towards women
would have to be made.
Shimron Nathan, another young student said
that earlier in Goa, crime stayed at bay meaning most crimes happened in Anjuna
or towards that stretch. But now, it was frightening how close danger had come.
She said “I live in Porvorim and recently there was a rape case here. My
initial reaction was “I can’t even be safe where I live” and what made it worse
is the thought ‘what if it was me?’. It’s a common thought but when you
actually think about it it’s scary. I notice when they stare or when they try to
make indirect advances and I always ignore or if it’s too much I retaliate. But
now I fear the consequence of retaliation as most of these criminals are very
well capable of ‘hurting’ me”. She hoped the government would do something
because she said felt she should not be feeling scared in her own locality.
Alisha Pereira from Chicalim was very candid when she said it
was difficult to find a woman who felt safe and secure in society today. She
said “We all are on a constant move, busy with our daily schedules which most
of the time tend to be outdoors and maybe at odd times too. But if you are a
woman, you have to think twice before stepping out as there is always a
constant fear in our minds of our safety. And this is so sad as we women do not
feel safe to go out in our own locality. Every day we read reports of increased
crimes in our state especially on women. Being a part of a democratic state,
gives us the Right to Freedom. But one should not forget that with freedom
comes responsibility. Yes, I wouldn’t deny the fact that the higher authorities
do play an important role in curbing the rates of crime in the state but we as
individuals need to educate one and all to respect and be responsible for the
safety of women around us”. She went on to say that stringent laws had to be in
place and they had to be implemented on time. A woman she said needed that
confidence that she could step out and complete her job even at later hours.
Ana Smriti Paes also from Chicalim bemoaned the fact that people
kept telling her not to stay out late because no one could predict what could
happen these days. She wished for the safety enjoyed by her mother and
grandmother who could go out and enjoy Goa’s beauty without any problem.
Ameya Nayak who has spent all her life in Goa said it was
upsetting to witness a sudden rise in the crime rate but she still felt it was
way safer in Goa when compared to other parts of the country. Mayanka
Harlankar, a working professional was of the opinion that Goa was no more a
serene state. It was filled with criminals who were invisible to common eyes.
She felt unless society evolved further with regards to their attitudes viz a
viz women, no rules or ways could help anyone. She however suggested self
defense training, safety apps and an active police would be a small initiative.
Adv Caroline Collasso who has dealt with cases concerning women
said “Yes indeed Goa is becoming a lawless state. Crimes against women are on
the increase. There is a complete system failure if complainants are turned away
and offenses not registered and the criminals get emboldened. The forensic lab
at Verna became partly functional only under high court directions. There are
no counselors, no full time protection officers for domestic violence. It is
not surprising that suicides or suicide ideation and divorces are on the
increase. Women don’t feel safe.” She pointed out the surge in domestic
tourists looking for this “sex haven”, a place for cheap alcohol and gambling
made the problems faced by women worse.
Joanne da Cunha, an actress, singer and model, felt crime had
increased in Goa. She said “I feel that many people dependent on tourism income
have lost this source for at least a year due to Covid, and that could have
prompted them to engage in petty crime, specially swindling and cheating of
tourists. Near where I stay, there have been some burglaries. The recent
daytime killing of 2 older ladies in Ponda was ghastly and horrifying. As a
woman, though I feel safe in Goa, my family is concerned about my safety and movements”.
Anuradha Holst an expatriate who has lived in the state for
years said Goa in comparison to other parts of the country was still one of the
safest states to live in especially for a woman. She felt the recent hardship
with the pandemic had left many unemployed and hard up which always contributed
to a rise in crime anywhere. She said “Having said that, being a woman who has
lived in Goa for many years there is definitely a difference in how secure I
feel now as compared to when I moved here. I am certainly more careful when
going out and securing my house and belongings”.
Perhaps
one should listen and understand and follow what Mahatma Gandhi said “The day a
woman can walk freely on the roads at night, that day we can say that India has
achieved independence.”
