bus journeys

how many times have you been a victim of a sexual abuse? before rushing to answer in a strong negative, recall the leering glances, the brush in a crowd, the very evident comments you faced atleast more than a single time. aint you felt that you should have slapped that person or told him or booked the crime(for it is indeed a crime). how often have you reacted vehemently, hated the gender as a whole and how often did you turn numb, shocked? or did you detested yourself for some perverts' crime? if so ever wondered to how much their number will run into? aint you realise that you need to raise your voice and act against it ? and do you know how that can frighten the offenders off? or did you just tell a collegue, friend or a kid when they complained that its all part of being a woman or thats how men are? i had to travel by bus recently in a south indian city. the left side was reserved for women and the right side for men. the women who were standing turned and stood facing the window but i found it curous that almost all the men who were standing too stood facin g the women's side. at first it stuck me as curious but then under the scanning eyes, i felt the not so innocent aspect of it. one or to stares and cant you turn to the other side worked but the whole majority stood facing the left side as if some exibition of curios was going on. and i also wonder why these men hang on to the doors and make a "mouse hole" for women to get down the bus. its just a small instance of an abuse though many wont call it so. a friend told about men deliberately grabbing at women in crowded buses and also about exibitionists and other perverts. yet another saw to her shock and disgust that while getting down somebody brushed his phallus against her. and once anyone starts counting those who brush against one and mask it as if in their hurry to get out or guided by a sandwitching crowd those innocent of it can be counted in fingers. how does it fell like travelling in and getting down from a crowded bus? and when other means of travel are limited and can cost one dear is there an alternative free from these?from comments to vlgarity to sexual abuses in buses in this south indian city ordealises women's lives. and i doubt if many other places could bail themselves out of such state? may be i dont know enough of bus journey's and those in this south indian metro. will more number of buses, uncrowded travel facilities and voicing out cure this?these abuse happen and are sometimes naturalized in the city famous for its cinema and strong culture consciousness. and i restrain from naming the city as i love it for all its merits and tough i can not ignore the demerits anymore.