Express News Service By

Don't go out alone, it's not safe, they always said to the woman. So she didn't.

The conventional lot advised, "Be accompanied by a man, it'll deter assault." So she did. But as the Delhi rape case of December 2012, the many that followed, and the recent rape of a photojournalist in Mumbai have proved, even good men are forced to bow before maniacs.

Often beaten by the perpetrators and disabled from helping the woman he is supposed to protect, the rising graph of crimes against women has men on caution too.

As Arijit Sen, a marketing executive with a technology major, says. "The rising cases of sexual assault have definitely made me more cautious. It is no longer about a guy protecting a girl but about being responsible for their safety by taking precautions. The days of Sunny Deol machismo are past. It sounds less macho but it is true."

The precautions lie in planning details. Hemant Doshi, a techie, never leaves home for a night out without having decided on how he and his girlfriend will travel and prefers to not rely on autorickshaws for the late hour rides.

He says, "We usually plan our outings in advance and book cabs instead of taking autos. In worst case scenario, if we have to take an auto or an unregulated cab late at night, I make a point to take a picture of the number plate and send it to a friend and family member. One has to take such precautions now. In fact, we even stay away from dark alleys even in areas like Indiranagar and Koramangla."

But with girls sharing the night life with men, concern often looms large.

"There is always more concern when my girlfriend is out travelling after dark by herself. But when I am with her I am definitely more at peace. But that is not to say that I am unaware of the fact that if there is a group of men who decide to assault us, there might be very little I can do. But no I am not scared to move around with her. It's definitely a safer way to travel around together after dark. And also reduces the risk of her being troubled drastically, says Piyush Goswami, a photographer.

According to many, when there is a maniac out on to get his nasty desires fulfilled, there is not much that normal guys can do.

"You cannot be a hero, fighting somebody who has been on the streets, fighting for work, or probably doing no work. He just finds his desire and he will do anything. If there is a group, the worse the scenario becomes. Even if we as normal guys are in equal numbers with the 'insane' opponents, we cannot match them, because they have a evil will and we are not prepared to tackle evil in normal lives," says Chandrashekar Koppaswami, a chartered accountant.