“Even Men Can Face Abuse by Men”

Trigger Warning: The following narrative contains content related to experiences of Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

Imaara stands as a beacon of resilience, founded by survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) for survivors. Every aspect of our NGO is crafted with the deep understanding that only those who have endured the harrowing journey of survival truly comprehend its nuances. From our programs to our support networks, we are driven by the unwavering commitment to empower fellow survivors. Each story shared within our community is a testament to the strength and courage that resides within every survivor. Together, we create a safe space where voices silenced by fear and shame are given power. Our mission is not merely to offer aid but to ignite a spark of hope in the hearts of those who have felt the darkest depths of despair. In this sanctuary of understanding and solidarity, survivors find solace, healing, and the unwavering belief that they are not defined by their past traumas, but by the strength it took to survive them.

The Words of an Anonymous Survivor

The afternoon heat was heavy on the busy roads. As a Rapido captain, my bike was my only way to earn money. I accepted a normal ride request and pulled up to the pickup spot. A man got on the back of my bike, and we started driving into the traffic. Almost immediately, things turned bad.

His hands moved from my shoulders down to my waist. Then, he started touching me very inappropriately. It was not an accident caused by a bump on the road. It was deliberate. He was grabbing me and doing dirty things. In gig work, you expect close physical proximity, but there is a clear line between a passenger holding on for safety and someone trying to show sexual power over you.

I realized something was completely wrong when he timed his dirty actions precisely with moments when I had to focus entirely on navigating dangerous traffic. I froze in total shock. My mind started racing about the Rapido app rules. I thought, “If I stop the bike right now and force him off, the app will punish me. I will get a penalty, lose my rating, or get blocked from working.” The passenger realized this immediately. He took advantage of my helpless situation. He knew I could not just drop him in the middle of the road because I needed to save my job.

He used that fear to keep touching and grabbing me for the rest of the ride. Every second felt like torture, and my skin crawled. That day, I learned a painful truth. Men can face abuse by men too. Predators do not care who you are; they just look for a way to use power over you. Hyper-masculine cultural norms teach us that men should always be strong and fight off any threat. Because of this belief, I felt a deep sense of shame and wondered why I couldn't just yell.

I forgot that economic pressure and psychological shock can paralyze anyone. This experience completely broke my peace of mind. For many days after that ride, I felt dirty, angry, and lonely.  I lost my trust in people. I wished back then that friends and society did not laugh or make fun of male victims. Usually, when a man says he was harassed by another man, people joke about it or tell him to "be a man." I wished people would just listen with empathy, because pain is the same for everyone.

The true turning point came when I realized that staying silent protects the abuser, not me. If I kept quiet, that man would do the exact same thing to another innocent captain. Today, empowerment means standing tall, breaking the silence, and sharing my story without any shame. The shame belongs to the abuser, not to me.

My message to other survivors struggling in silence is simple: your experience is valid, and your gender does not erase the trauma. Ride-hailing platforms must step up and create zero-penalty emergency cancel options so drivers never have to choose between their safety and their livelihood. The memory of that ride still hurts, but it no longer controls my life. I am moving forward with more strength, using my voice to make the future safer for all drivers.