The video footage shows several people casually walking by as the woman is being attacked. Photo / Supplied
The video footage shows several people casually walking by as the woman is being attacked. Photo / Supplied
A woman was raped on a busy public street in broad daylight in west India on Sunday as several bystanders filmed the attack and no one stepped in to help.
The woman, reportedly in her late 20s, had been resting under a tree by a footpath in the city of Visakhapatnam, in Andhra Pradesh, on the Bay of Bengal, the MailOnline reported.
She was then attacked and allegedly raped by a 23-year-old cleaner, in full view of passersby at around 2.30pm.
The attack happened in the city of Visakhapatnam. Photo / Supplied
The woman had reportedly left her family home on the outskirts of the city two days earlier after a fight with her husband.
The alleged rapist, Ganji Siva attacked her with no provocation and brutally raped her by the side of the road.
"Apparently, she was very weak as she had not eaten for several hours and was sleeping on the footpath under the shadow of a tree, when Siva, in an inebriated condition assaulted her sexually," Visakhapatnam IV town police sub-inspector K Suresh told Hindustan Times.
The unnamed woman was attacked in broad daylight. Photo / Supplied
"Passers-by did not bother to stop him even as the woman was too weak to even scream."
Several people started filming the attack, and one of the videos, filmed by a rickshaw driver from across the street, was brought to police.
It allegedly shows several people walking past in a casual manner, while the assault goes on in the background.
By the time police arrived, the assailant had already left the scene, but thanks to the video and eyewitness accounts, Siva was soon identified and arrested.
He has been detained awaiting trial and official charges.
Since the video first appeared on social media, many have responded with outrage that no one helped the vivtim.
A person calling themselves Bhaskar Rao tweeted: "Broad Daylight rape in Vizag on footpath, no one came ahead to help women. It's disgusting. We all hve become merciless,no fight for justice." [sic]
Arunoday Mukharji added "Is this for real? A woman raped on a footpath in #Vizag while people walk past without intervening. Has it come down to this? Speechless."
If you're in danger NOW:
• Phone the police on 111 or ask neighbours of friends to ring for you. • Run outside and head for where there are other people. • Scream for help so that your neighbours can hear you. • If you are being abused, remember it's not your fault. Violence is never okay.
Where to go for help or more information:
• NZ Police • The Harbour, for those affected by harmful sexual behaviour • Help Auckland 24/7 helpline 09 623 1700 • Rape Prevention Education • Wellington Help 24/7 crisisline 04 801 6655, push 0 • Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse • Women's Refuge: Free national crisis line operates 24/7 - 0800 REFUGE or 0800 733 843 www.womensrefuge.org.nz • Shine, free national helpline 9am- 11pm every day - 0508 744 633 www.2shine.org.nz • Shakti: Providing specialist cultural services for African, Asian and Middle Eastern women and their children. Crisis line 24/7 0800 742 584 • White Ribbon: Aiming to eliminate men's violence towards women, focusing this year on sexual violence and the issue of consent. www.whiteribbon.org.nz
