As those strong hands swept through my body, I felt he stripped me naked. He was authorized to do so and I couldn’t raise a voice. He was an officer. Every day, men come across a type of harassment that is so casual yet intimidating, it has become almost normal. It is so subtle, so routine, that most men don’t even realize they are doing it.

It’s not uncommon to hear stories like this from women who have been sexually harassed. However, what’s even more concerning is the fact that men are also victims of sexual harassment, and it’s not talked about as often.

When we hear about sexual harassment, the immediate image that comes to our minds is a man harassing a woman. But what about the other way around? It’s not just women who are vulnerable to sexual harassment; men too can be victims of this abuse of power.

Sexual harassment can take many forms, ranging from unwanted bodily contact, and catcalls, to verbal or physical abuse. Men can be just as traumatized as women. They may be subjected to unwanted advances, lewd comments, or physical touch.

One such recent incident triggered and left me feeling violated and helpless. As I stood in the crowded metro queue, the man in uniform approached me for inspection. He looked at me and frisked me as if I was a criminal. As those strong hands swept through my body, I felt he stripped me naked. He was authorized to do so, and I couldn’t raise a voice. He pressed through different parts of my body as if looking for something. Ultimately, he pushed my lower backbone through his index finger. I felt violated, exposed, and helpless. I couldn’t believe something like this could happen in broad daylight, in front of so many people. I couldn’t help but wonder, why does this happen? All kids are taught good and bad touch in school, so why not to them? Why do they feel entitled to touch us without our consent? And why do we, as a society, tolerate it?

Men can also find the workplace hostile. Male colleagues often make inappropriate comments about their bodies or suggestive gestures. And like women, they may feel powerless to speak out for fear of retaliation or embarrassment.

But it’s not just at work where men face sexual harassment. It can happen anywhere, even on the streets. As a man, I’ve been groped on public transport and had women make inappropriate comments about my body. It’s uncomfortable and humiliating, and yet it’s often dismissed as harmless or even flattering.

As a society, we need to recognize that sexual harassment is a serious issue that affects both men and women. It’s high time we started talking about this issue and addressing it. It’s not enough to teach our children about appropriate and wrong touch in schools. We need to start having open conversations with them, so they understand the importance of consent and respect. We also need to hold those who perpetrate these acts accountable, and not brush it off as something that just happens.
We also need to create a safe space for men to speak out about sexual harassment. This means creating a culture where people feel comfortable sharing their stories without fear of ridicule or dismissal.

It’s time to acknowledge that sexual harassment is not casual. It’s a serious issue that affects us all. And until we start talking about it openly and honestly, we won’t be able to create a safe and inclusive environment for all, where everyone feels safe, respected and valued. A society where casual harassment is not tolerated and those who engage in it are held accountable for their actions. It’s time to take a stand and make a change.