Harassment, stalking and violence in public places
Women have the right to use streets, parks, markets and transport without being followed, touched, filmed, threatened or blamed for being present.
In this guide
What this can look like
Risk can come from one person, a group, a transport worker, a known person or coordinated online and offline stalking.
- Repeated following, waiting near home or work, unwanted contact after a clear refusal or monitoring routes.
- Sexual comments, exposure, touching, crowding, blocking, grabbing or attempts to remove clothing.
- Recording private or sexualised images, threats, vehicle diversion or refusal to let someone exit.
Why this is harmful
- Harassment restricts education, work, healthcare, rest and equal participation in public life.
- A target may change routes and routines while the person causing harm faces no restriction.
Several offences may apply
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita includes offences concerning sexual harassment, voyeurism, stalking, assault, criminal force, threats and wrongful restraint, depending on facts.
Digital publication or account misuse may also engage the Information Technology Act.
Labels such as stalking have statutory elements. Record patterns safely and obtain advice rather than relying on one isolated description.
Safer next steps
Choose only what fits the situation. Safety, time, money, disability, family control and device monitoring can change what is possible.
Move toward people and control
Enter an open shop, staffed station, guard point or known home; ask a specific person to stay with you and call 112 if danger is immediate.
Change the immediate route, not your whole life
Share live plans only with a trusted person and avoid predictable confrontation points while assessing the pattern.
Record recurring behaviour safely
Note dates, routes, descriptions, vehicle numbers and witnesses without taking a photo if doing so may provoke danger.
How to support someone
Bystander action should reduce risk and follow the targeted person's cues.
What can help
- Create a distraction, stand beside her or ask if she wants help.
- Delegate a specific call or involve trained staff.
What to avoid
- Do not film or post her without consent.
- Do not escalate physically when a safer interruption is possible.
Words you can use
“Would you like to stand with me or call someone?”
“I saw what happened. I can be a witness if you want.”
What families and institutions must do
Government and public bodies
Transport and local authorities
- Provide staffed, lit, accessible waiting and complaint routes.
- Publish response data and repair unsafe infrastructure without restricting women.
Police and justice systems
Police
- Assess patterns and immediate risk without moral policing.
- Offer accessible reporting and reference information.
Get help and practical support
Call 112
For immediate danger, urgent police, fire or medical coordination.
Pan-India emergency service
A call or app request may share your number, voice and location with responders.
Call Women Helpline 181
For information, support and referral concerning violence against women.
The official FAQ currently lists every State and Union Territory except West Bengal; response can vary locally.
Ask what will be recorded or shared before giving details when it is safe to do so.
Call legal-aid helpline 15100
Women and children are listed among people eligible for free legal services.
Eligibility does not guarantee a particular lawyer, remedy or result.
Sources and publication record
- Publication review
- Reviewed and approved by the project team
- Sources checked
- Jurisdiction
- India
- Review record
- Reviewed and approved by the project team. Official statutes and service sources are listed with the relevant content.
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023India Code, Legislative Department
- Information Technology Act, 2000India Code, Legislative Department
- Emergency Response Support System 112Ministry of Home Affairs
- Women Helpline 181Ministry of Women and Child Development
- Free legal services and National Legal Aid Helpline 15100National Legal Services Authority