His eyes are not on her smile, nor does he find what she says particularly interesting. As he advances towards her, she knows that inner devastation awaits, but it is too late. Her body will forever be scarred with the invisible consequences of that incident. For victims of sexual assault, society always lurks inside one’s estranged maze of thoughts, whispering incitement to stay within the boundaries of solitude. If a single step is taken beyond the line, fear whips these whispers into vicious backlash.

According to the American Medical Association, sexual violence remains one of the most underreported crimes. In Pakistan, a human rights commission concluded that rape occurs once every two hours, but in 2009, only 928 cases were reported across the country. The parenting website Mumsnet found that almost 83 percent of women surveyed do not report incidents of sexual assault to police. Why do these gaps of silence exist? Why does reporting sexual assault present dilemmas that, often, cannot be overcome?

There exist fierce taboos when it comes to open discussion of sexual mistreatment. Having witnessed unwanted sexual advances, I have noticed how women especially are forced into positions of oppression instead of being able to expose perpetrators and seek justice for these crimes. I have watched one of my closest friends shed tears wondering about the consequences she will have to face if her sexual assault became known among the community. There is always fear.

Open acknowledgement of sexual assault can help the victim cope with the incident. It is significant and necessary for people around the victims to give them this space. However, societal norms usually do not allow this to happen, and victims end up feeling isolated and mired in their own depressive thoughts. Upon confiding in others, those who have suffered from sexual violence are often subjected to humiliation and taunts, affecting one’s emotional connection to loved ones. Unsurprisingly, many victims are unable to open up due to fear of backlash from society.

Enforced silence on sexual assault may lead victims to experiencing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, shame, guilt, anger and Major Depressive Disorder. When society refuses to acknowledge the sheer existence of a significant problem, victims have no choice but to get lost in the dark maze of their own solitude. Whether it’s the recovery process or the victim’s self-esteem, taboo on sexual mistreatment has a huge impact on one’s mental health.

Societal norms cannot undergo an overnight transformation, but the silent war that wages inside victims can be assuaged by means of giving them a platform for expression. It is vital to understand that sexual assault survivors face many internal struggles, and any one of us can offer assistance by simply creating a space for them to open up. Those who struggle are the ones showing courage in the face of fear, so let us applaud their efforts and offer support on their personal journeys.