Let’s talk about the harassment video that went viral from Mansi Suravase’s account.
(The video I’m talking about in this article is embedded at the end)
For context, an influencer (Mansi Suravase) was filming a video on the stairs of her building when a man walks through. We can see that she stepped significantly aside to make way for him to pass through, making enough space for an elephant to pass but apparently not enough for a pig. The man deliberately reaches out to her, runs his palm on her arm and attempts to walk away. Mansi holds him back, questions his behaviour and lands a satisfying slap on his face for his malicious act. She has clarified in the video that it wasn’t a scripted one and the man has been accused of doing such things before, and now some appropriate complaint has been filed against him.
This incident is perhaps one out of thousands that take place every single day in public and private spaces with women. These acts, often perceived as ‘small’ or ‘insignificant’ or even ‘funny’ by perverted men, are rooted in a deeper issue of power imbalance and entitlement. The psychology behind such behaviour often involves a sense of impunity, where the perpetrator believes they can violate a woman’s personal space without facing consequences. Of course, their image of women is solely centred around their sexual desire and nothing else. That combined with an assumption of superiority over the female gender is a perilous combination. This sense of entitlement is a dangerous precursor to more severe forms of harassment and violence. They’re ‘too small’ to be reported but they are significant enough for women to remember and hurt our entire lives.
Deliberate acts of malicious intent by sexual predators like the man in the video are indicators of a personality disturbed enough to commit a larger crime, should the opportunity arise. There is already perhaps a female in his household or neighbourhood who is victim to his predatory intent. It is hurtful and enraging to think that there are a number of women enduring this kind of trauma in their lives, even children, feeling trapped and helpless about it because it might be someone they know/are defenceless against.
In fact, Mansi Suravase was lucky that the act was caught on camera. A, we do not know what the man would have done if he knew she was otherwise defenceless. The absence of witnesses or evidence often emboldens perpetrators, leaving women in a precarious position – the video recorder might have been Mansi’s saviour that day. B, the number of men who would have cried bluff over this incident without video evidence on the interest would have been enough to destroy Mansi’s mental health.
Mansi’s reaction was a brave and powerful act of self-defence and a clear message that such behaviour will not be tolerated. In that moment, she reclaimed her agency and refused to be a victim, or even take it easy or let it go (something that most women do because we fear the consequences of standing up to them).
It is crucial to recognize that women have the right to defend themselves against any form of unwanted physical contact or harassment, through an act of violence if necessary. The incident with Mansi is not isolated but rather a symptom of a much larger societal issue. Addressing it requires a multi-faceted approach that includes challenging harmful attitudes, empowering women to speak up and defend themselves, and holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. It’s a long journey, but Mansi’s video going viral and spreading the right message is a milestone for all of us. Social media has stood by her and I hope that this incident enables more women to stand up to such men, and makes men see the world through the eyes of women and be mindful around them. And I truly hope that such men perish away.
Video:
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