Facing harassment — whether verbal, sexual, or physical — is deeply distressing. As a woman in India, you are protected under strong legal provisions. This guide explains what to do if a male stranger harasses you in public, online, or elsewhere, and what the law says about it (updated for 2025).
🚨 Types of Harassment Covered:
- Verbal Harassment – obscene comments, lewd jokes, whistling, stalking
- Sexual Harassment – inappropriate touching, groping, sexual advances
- Online Harassment – obscene messages, images, videos, or stalking
🔹 1. Ensure Your Safety First
- Leave the situation if it becomes threatening.
- Find a public place or people nearby.
- Use 112 – India’s all-in-one emergency helpline for women’s safety, police, and ambulance.
🔹 2. Gather Evidence (If Safe to Do So)
- Record video/audio of the incident.
- Take photos or screenshots (for online abuse).
- Note down exact location, time, and description of the offender.
📘 Legal Reference (BSA Section 61):
“Electronic records are admissible in evidence if accompanied by a certificate under Section 63(4).”
🔹 3. File a Police Complaint / FIR
Go to the nearest police station or women’s police station, or call police to the spot. You have the right to file an FIR in both verbal and physical harassment cases.
📘 BNSS Section 173(1):
A police officer shall record information relating to a cognizable offence and begin investigation.
📘 BNSS Section 176(1):
A woman can give her statement to a female police officer, and at her residence or a safe place if needed.
📘 BNSS Section 193(2):
A woman cannot be arrested without prior approval by a senior officer and must be interrogated only by a woman officer.
💡 Tip: You can also file an e-FIR in many states through official police portals.
🔹 4. Know the Relevant Laws That Protect You
📌 A. Verbal Harassment / Eve-Teasing
📘 BNS Section 78 – Outraging modesty of a woman
Any man who uses words or gestures intending to insult a woman’s modesty can be punished with up to 3 years imprisonment and fine.
📘 BNS Section 79 – Sexual Harassment
Includes:
- Unwelcome physical contact
- Demanding sexual favors
- Showing pornography
- Making sexually colored remarks
➡️ Punishment: Up to 3 years and fine
📌 B. Physical / Sexual Harassment
📘 BNS Section 81 – Assault with intent to outrage modesty
➡️ Punishable with 1 to 5 years imprisonment + fine
📘 BNS Section 82 – Voyeurism
Watching or capturing images of a woman in a private act
➡️ 1 to 3 years for first offence, up to 7 years for repeat offence
📘 BNS Section 83 – Stalking
Following a woman physically or online despite clear disinterest
➡️ Up to 3 years (first offence), up to 5 years for repeat
📘 BNS Section 63 – Use of criminal force with intent to outrage modesty
➡️ Covers groping, pinching, unwanted touch – up to 7 years + fine
📌 C. Online Harassment / Cyberstalking
📘 Information Technology Act – Section 66E & 67:
Punishes online circulation of private images, obscene messages, and cyberstalking.
➡️ Up to 5 years imprisonment and fine
🔹 5. What If the Police Refuse to File FIR?
You have the right to escalate:
📘 BNSS Section 173(3):
Send your complaint in writing to the Superintendent of Police (SP).
📘 BNSS Section 175:
File a complaint before a Judicial Magistrate, who can order the police to register an FIR.
🔹 6. File a Complaint Online (Optional Support)
- National Cyber Crime Portal: https://cybercrime.gov.in
- NCW Online Complaint: https://ncwapps.nic.in/
- State Police e-FIR portals
💡 You can also email or send a written complaint to the police commissioner or women’s cell.
🔹 7. Support Available
- Women Helpline (All India): 181
- Police Emergency: 112
- National Commission for Women (NCW)
- State Women’s Commissions
- NGOs & Legal Aid Services: Free legal help is available under the Legal Services Authorities Act
✅ Summary: Step-by-Step Action Plan
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | Get to a safe location |
| 2️⃣ | Call 112 (police/emergency) |
| 3️⃣ | Record details or evidence (if safe) |
| 4️⃣ | File an FIR (BNSS 173) |
| 5️⃣ | Refer to laws (BNS 78, 79, 81, 83, etc.) |
| 6️⃣ | Report online harassment via cybercrime.gov.in |
| 7️⃣ | Escalate to SP or Magistrate if FIR denied (BNSS 173(3), 175) |
⚖️ You Are Protected. Use the Law.
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), BNSS, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) provide comprehensive protection to women against all forms of harassment — public, private, physical, verbal, or online.
You have full legal backing. Speak up, report it, and don’t stay silent.
Let me know if you’d like a version of this article tailored for specific situations — like public transport harassment, workplace harassment, or in regional languages like Hindi, Tamil, or Bengali.