If mobs molest, they can save you too. How herd mentality can rescue you from a vulnerable situation

On New Year's Eve 2016, while the rest of the world was eagerly waiting for the clock to strike midnight, an incident of mass molestation in Bengaluru scarred the festivities for many.

Hundreds of women were groped, harassed, and pawed at by a mob which could not be contained by the police force deployed to prevent the exact same situation.

There were thousands of spectators present at the scene, and had they all united against a bunch of perverts, Bengaluru would have been in news for different reasons.

Sadly, that did not happen.

Are we, the people, not bothered by the brutality happening around us in India? Of course, we are. Do women in distress not make an alarming sight? Yes, it does.

Then, what holds us back from putting a stop to the viciousness and rescuing someone in a situation our friends, sisters, and partners might find themselves in? Though these questions haunt many, no one really makes an effort to find an answer.

In 2014, Aamir Khan during his show Satyamev Jayate, spoke about the bystander effect--a sociological phenomenon where people remain apathetic towards injustice and misery around them.

Probably, this is what had happened on New Year's Eve 2016 in Bengaluru. But, does it always have to be this way?

***

People in large numbers represent strength. Now, strength in numbers can tear you apart too. Just like it did in Bengaluru. But, that very strength can be your rescuer too. Let's just take a moment here, and introspect.

Numbers don't always have to symbolize danger. A protest is led by a mob too. A mob fighting for a common cause, be it Nirbhaya's or Jessica's.

So why does a woman have to fear a crowd? Shouldn't she feel safer? Let's not forget the strength of numbers against a couple of molesters.

***

Now, you would wonder whether a mob is even capable of taking logical decisions in a moment of frenzy. And for that, it's imperative that we try to comprehend the herd mentality.

"Although humans exhibit strong preferences for equity and moral prohibitions against harm in many contexts, people's priorities change when there is an 'us' and a 'them," said Rebecca Saxe, associate professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in an interview to Medical Daily.

So instead of us men, against them women--we need us, rescuers against them, perpetrators. And how exactly can we change this mentality? Well, researchers have an answer for that too.

According to a study published in Psych Central, it takes a minority of just five per cent to influence a crowd's direction--and that the other 95% follow without realizing it.

The study found that the brain suppresses personal moral code when in groups. So, if you come to think of it, it's really not that difficult to instigate a crowd.

It all sounds beautifully ideological, doesn't it? But what happens when you're in trouble. When that leering man becomes the groping monster. How do you instigate a crowd to become a mob that can potentially save you?

Simple, by asking for help.

Imagine, you are strolling down the alleys of a busy marketplace, minding your own business. Suddenly, out of nowhere, you feel a hand creeping up behind you. And it doesn't stop there.

Yes, you could walk quickly or run away, leaving the criminal behind. Or, you can howl, cry out, and ask others for help.

All it takes is a just one good Samaritan to mobilize a crowd. If you get one person's attention, and s/he get someone else's-- soon you'll have a chain reaction. Soon you will have a mob that will save you from being molested.

If you're not the victim, don't be a mute spectator either.

Yes, we get your fears. What if the molester comes after you? What if he has a weapon. Well, you can ignore the poor woman today, and leave her to her circumstance instead of being the good Samaritan. But if everyone follows your example, what happens to you when you are in need of a good Samaritan?

Much like everything thing else in life, this tricky situation has a solution too. And it starts by looking around. You just need to keep your eyes open for people who are getting bothered by this injustice, but much like you, don't have the courage to come forward.

Just remember this: you don't need to have the guts to chase a criminal; you just need to have the willingness to approach someone to help you, help her.

People feel stronger in groups. You just need to motivate them to join you. And once you have mobilized a group--no matter how small--confront the harasser. In all likelihood, once a crowd has gathered, the pervert sensing danger would drop his act. And if he doesn't, you would have called the police in the meantime anyhow.

***

Still sounds too far-fetched? Well, truth is stranger than fiction. Amazing things happen in real life too.

By taking a stand, you will save a woman in distress. But you will set a precedent--one that just might influence others to follow suit. As Mahatma Gandhi once said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world."

Joining that protest march or penning that inspiring Facebook post won't do much if you ignore an incident happening right in front of your eyes, now will it?