Threatened, women buy pins and pepper sprays

As crime against their sex soars, women are enrolling for self-defence classes and taking their precautions

As crime against their sex soars, women are enrolling for self-defence classes and taking their precautions

Bangalore's women are signing up for self-defence classes faster than you can say Indian culture.

As crime against women soars there have been seven attacks in 10 days students, professionals and housewives are opting for intensive, short-term courses.

on guard: A student practices her moves in a life-like situation simulated in a self-defence class

"A lot of women want to learn self-defence techniques as they face violence and aggression on the streets,"says Reshma Sharma, who teaches karate and conducts self-defence camps on request.

Niyathi Dayal, who runs a media company, enrolled in the class as her work requires frequent travel.u00a0 "While I don't have the time to take up a full-fledged martial arts course, I worry about my safety,"she says.

But it's not like the stay-at-homes feel safe. Housewife Sunita Maradia attended a three-day camp since "even people sitting at home can be a victim of violence,"she says. "I felt more confident after the class since it teaches you how you can defend yourself using simple things like a sari pin or a dupatta."

Marketing professional Archana Batre'su00a0 secret weapon is a pepper spray but she still feels insecure. "I'm scared to step out of the house after 8 and I don't feel like wearing western clothes anymore. Though I carry a pepper spray, I'm constantly on my guard,"she says.

CASE STUDIES

Case 1
"I can speak Kannada and was wearing a salwar suit. But I was still attacked."

Sanjana (28), a journalist working with Tehelka, was attacked by two men at the Vasanthnagar main road junction at 10.30 pm on Saturday as she was getting into an autorickshaw. Two men on a bike punched her right jaw and fled the scene even before she could realise what had hit her.

"For a few seconds, I was stunned. I didn't know what had happened," says Sanjana. She had tried to pull the pillion rider's shirt and the motorist lost balance. But they managed to flee. She couldn't take down the number as it was dark.

"This is the seventh attack on women in just 10 days. I was hit when people were around. And it's not that women are being attacked only at night. Many of the attacks have occurred in the morning and afternoon as well. It's not that women wearing jeans, talking in English or of a particular section of society are being attacked. I am a Bangalorean, can speak Kannada and on that day I was wearing a salwar suit. I was still attacked,'' Sanjana said.

Case 2:
Techie Paula has a similar story: "It was around 2 in the afternoon. I was walking towards a supermarket in Frazer Town with my cousin. I wasn't even alone. Suddenly, someone hit me on my back. I shouted out in pain but no one came out to see what was happening. From that day, I've beenu00a0 carrying pepper spray and a knife with me."