We’ve read stories of humans just being cruel and most of the time, it perplexes us that people can actually be this heartless. You’d think being in a pandemic situation, human beings would’ve learnt to be better. But, somehow it has made us worse.
Just two months ago, we were appalled when 124 people from South Korea were arrested for allegedly being involved in a group chat on Telegram called “Nth room” where videos of women and underaged girls blackmailed into performing grotesque sexual acts were shared.
Yesterday, a similar group was exposed in India called “Bois Locker Room” on Instagram where pictures of underage girls were shared without their knowledge or consent along with crude comments ranging from body shaming to jokes on sexual assault and rape.
A group of south delhi boys in the age group of 17-18 have ig gc named "bois locker room" where they were doing shitty things , objectify and morph pictures of girls of the same age group . These people are still not stoping and threatening people . Like really ? #boyslockerroom pic.twitter.com/QsRZZoKdBv
— Youth Against Rape ā¢ ?? (@Rapesfreeindia) May 3, 2020
The worst part?
According to BBC “Bois Locker Room” comprises and was also run by young SCHOOLBOYS in India’s capital of Delhi. The group came to light when several Instagram users became aware of its existence and called out the members for their behaviour.
Shubham Singh, a cyber expert who also works with law enforcement was one of the first people to investigate into the matter and cross-referenced all images before reporting it to the police.
An 18-year-old started the group
NDTV reported that a 15-year-old boy from a prominent school participated in the group. The police have identified 27 members of the group – some were underage and some 18 and older. An 18-year-old student was arrested on the 5th of May for actually starting the group. Most of the boys in the group claimed to not have any idea how they were added into the group.
What actions have been taken?
Delhi’s Women Commission has requested the police to take direct action against the group and its perpetrators. They also reached out to Instagram requesting the IP addresses of those who were involved in the group and asked for an explanation of what exactly is being done in this situation.
“We absolutely do not allow behaviour that promotes sexual violence or exploits anyone, especially women and young people, and have actioned content violating our Community Standards as we were made aware of it.”Ā
If you find yourself in a similar situation where pictures of yourself are being shared without your consent, make sure to lodge a police report under the Cyber Crime Unit.
We hope those who were involved in this vile and disgusting group get the punishment they deserve. There will always be a group of people who are ready to blame the women in these instances saying it’s dressing and what not BUT what do you say if the victims are innocent, young girls. Let’s STOP saying “boys will be boys” and instead let’s just “boys will be held accountable for their actions.
Also read: Nth Room: The Horrific Story Of Girls In South Korea Blackmailed Into Filming Gruesome Sex Videos
