“Society has destroyed the lives of many sexually abused women with its attitude of blaming the victim,” says actor Manju Warrier in a short film on post-rape care for sexually abused women.
Pointing out that crimes against women is alarmingly high in Kerala, despite having a high literacy rate and female-to-male ratio, the actor sheds light on society’s attitude of victimizing a sexually abused woman over and over again.
The eight-minute short film directed by filmmaker Shyamaprasad is the third in the series, "Freedom from fear", produced by Kerala-based NGO Bodhini.
Through the story of 23-year-old Ajitha, a junior bank officer who was sexually abused in her teens, the short film holds a mirror to society that tends to blame the victim, instead of addressing the issue.
“A woman’s life turns upside down when she is sexually abused. It is not easy for her to get past that,” Manju Warrier says.
After her curious colleagues dig out her past, their attitude towards Ajitha changes. Amid suggestive glances and patronising looks, Ajitha realizes that she is not free from the shackles of her past.
“Many victims tend to blame themselves. It is also because of their reluctance to face the real culprit,” the actor says.
For the story of a woman who rose above society's indifference, watch the video here: