Safety for Women??

janetdawson · Jul 10th, 2004, 15:44

Was in Delhi the past 3 months on a student exchange trip- and found it to be on an average a very nice place. But like any place in the world- wven my own hometown

there were some wierdos.
After being stalked by some guy to my apartment in south extension delhi- decided to buy pepper spray at a local store. Cost me cheap also at 1.1 USD
Anyway- after a few days later the same guy followed me back to my apartment and tried to grab my hand as i tried to get into my lift- sprayed him real good. sadly the local police did not register a case against the creep- told me that they would take care of him informally- was later told by my landlord that the criminal would be let off after paying some bakshish.
On the whole I found the people in India to be very warm and helpfull- but women traveller have it a little tough anywhere

You can get the info on the pepper spray at www.asianskyshop.com

thread merged and poll stripped to keep same topics together

umber · Feb 13th, 2005, 16:01

i am a little hesitant about going to India specifically because of this i have been groped or molested by men about ten times in Singapore and out of ten 9 of them were Indian men . Now i walk at such a wide angle from both men and women that peeps around me look behind them just to see what i am trying to avoid.

umber · Feb 13th, 2005, 17:48

hi Maree yes i saw that episode they are a scary lot , i know exactly how they felt

, its so horrible and the Indian men here are just as disgusting, not the foreigners ( as in from India ) though its all the local Singaporean Indians who are like that

mainly the Tamils !!!!!

tmcat · Feb 13th, 2005, 19:09

I just returned from my trip in India. I was lucky since all the people I met were very nice to me. Not unpleasant experience. I think it is a good common sense will protect you. Whenever you smell anything fishy or weird, you should go or say NO.

firefly · Feb 16th, 2005, 21:53

Yes,we will face that problem in some areas.It is important , what can we do when face that?

jolifanta · Mar 4th, 2005, 08:08

I have been groped in india, but I have also been groped in Paris! I am not so sure this is just an Indian affliction.

traceyam · Mar 4th, 2005, 15:08

FWIW, I was never groped or treated with anything other than respect (at least overtly) in India, and that goes for big cities as well as rural areas. It may have something to do with the fact that I'm 6' tall and can seriously kick some hinder.

I think it also had to do with the fact that I always wore salwar kameez - it really does make a huge difference in how you're perceived. It didn't hurt that I had long hair, either, and that I don't drink, smoke, or eat meat.

jinx · Mar 5th, 2005, 01:33

I was grabbed and fondled, about 10 feet from my husband, then when I pulled away from the man, he offered me money (200 Rupees! Add insult to injury!) and tried to pull me toward his hotel room. Another time, we stayed in a place for two weeks and at least 5 times caught one of the local men spying at my windows and trying to peek in while I was taking a shower. He too grabbed and groped me, tried to kiss me, and then when I protested he invited me and my husband to his house for dinner! (We refused of course.) I heard many similar stories when I was there and I definitely saw women who were dressed indiscreetly being harassed more than those who had more Indian-style clothes. Because of the "pack" mentality, I think extra precaution is necessary, but in general if you can take care of yourself in NY, London or Paris, you'll be fine in India.

traceyam · Mar 5th, 2005, 02:11

I think a self-defense course, like Model Mugging, is a good idea for ANYONE who travels alone anywhere, even in their own country, female or male. They teach you about awareness and common sense in addition to defending yourself. It can go a long way to giving you some peace of mind about travel if safety is something that is a big concern for you.

zozoyi · Mar 5th, 2005, 02:57

i never faced any harm while walking through the most crowded streets in delhi ....in public places,bazar or ,... also whild i reached delhi 2 am nobody disgrased me it was safe ans secure (I am 27 female am fr IRAN)

Jul 10th, 2004, 15:44	#16
janetdawson Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 40	Women travellers in India & SE Asia Was in Delhi the past 3 months on a student exchange trip- and found it to be on an average a very nice place. But like any place in the world- wven my own hometown there were some wierdos. After being stalked by some guy to my apartment in south extension delhi- decided to buy pepper spray at a local store. Cost me cheap also at 1.1 USD Anyway- after a few days later the same guy followed me back to my apartment and tried to grab my hand as i tried to get into my lift- sprayed him real good. sadly the local police did not register a case against the creep- told me that they would take care of him informally- was later told by my landlord that the criminal would be let off after paying some bakshish. On the whole I found the people in India to be very warm and helpfull- but women traveller have it a little tough anywhere You can get the info on the pepper spray at www.asianskyshop.com thread merged and poll stripped to keep same topics together Last edited by indiamike : Jul 10th, 2004 at 18:19.

Mar 4th, 2005, 15:08	#22
traceyam Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 426	FWIW, I was never groped or treated with anything other than respect (at least overtly) in India, and that goes for big cities as well as rural areas. It may have something to do with the fact that I'm 6' tall and can seriously kick some hinder. I think it also had to do with the fact that I always wore salwar kameez - it really does make a huge difference in how you're perceived. It didn't hurt that I had long hair, either, and that I don't drink, smoke, or eat meat. __________________ "Don't you sometimes wish the arctic was strawberry flavoured?" -- Thermoman

Mar 5th, 2005, 02:57	#25
zozoyi zohre Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: IRAN Posts: 11	I like india i never faced any harm while walking through the most crowded streets in delhi ....in public places,bazar or ,... also whild i reached delhi 2 am nobody disgrased me it was safe ans secure (I am 27 female am fr IRAN)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
some good safety advice for women	Digital Drifter	Health and Well Being in India	26	Dec 14th, 2005 19:15
Women	SilverMike	India Expat Area	5	May 31st, 2004 20:04
Safety in Leh	chiquita	Health and Well Being in India	2	Jan 5th, 2004 01:25
Safety.	Aussie girl	Health and Well Being in India	2	Nov 9th, 2003 21:01
Safety	Mike Friedman	Health and Well Being in India	2	Nov 7th, 2002 20:47

Feb 13th, 2005, 16:01	#17
umber Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: singapore Posts: 17	i am a little hesitant about going to India specifically because of this i have been groped or molested by men about ten times in Singapore and out of ten 9 of them were Indian men . Now i walk at such a wide angle from both men and women that peeps around me look behind them just to see what i am trying to avoid.

Feb 13th, 2005, 17:48	#18
umber Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: singapore Posts: 17	hi Maree yes i saw that episode they are a scary lot , i know exactly how they felt , its so horrible and the Indian men here are just as disgusting, not the foreigners ( as in from India ) though its all the local Singaporean Indians who are like that mainly the Tamils !!!!!

Feb 13th, 2005, 19:09	#19
tmcat Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: HK Posts: 28	I just returned from my trip in India. I was lucky since all the people I met were very nice to me. Not unpleasant experience. I think it is a good common sense will protect you. Whenever you smell anything fishy or weird, you should go or say NO.

Feb 16th, 2005, 21:53	#20
firefly Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: China Posts: 1	Yes,we will face that problem in some areas.It is important , what can we do when face that?

Mar 4th, 2005, 08:08	#21
jolifanta Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 14	I have been groped in india, but I have also been groped in Paris! I am not so sure this is just an Indian affliction.

Mar 5th, 2005, 01:33	#23
jinx Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Europe Posts: 6	I was grabbed and fondled, about 10 feet from my husband, then when I pulled away from the man, he offered me money (200 Rupees! Add insult to injury!) and tried to pull me toward his hotel room. Another time, we stayed in a place for two weeks and at least 5 times caught one of the local men spying at my windows and trying to peek in while I was taking a shower. He too grabbed and groped me, tried to kiss me, and then when I protested he invited me and my husband to his house for dinner! (We refused of course.) I heard many similar stories when I was there and I definitely saw women who were dressed indiscreetly being harassed more than those who had more Indian-style clothes. Because of the "pack" mentality, I think extra precaution is necessary, but in general if you can take care of yourself in NY, London or Paris, you'll be fine in India.

Mar 5th, 2005, 02:11	#24
traceyam Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 426	I think a self-defense course, like Model Mugging, is a good idea for ANYONE who travels alone anywhere, even in their own country, female or male. They teach you about awareness and common sense in addition to defending yourself. It can go a long way to giving you some peace of mind about travel if safety is something that is a big concern for you.

User Name		Remember Me?
Password