I had a really interesting conversation with a female constable.

I had gone to the police station to lodge a complaint against someone who had displayed inappropriate behavior towards me.

The constable first questioned my father as to how he could allow me, a girl, out of the house at night? With boys who're not my relatives? Especially in a dress? Shame Shame.

I invited trouble and defamed the entire family. And I enticed a man. Seriously, you should take control over my life, I am getting way out of hand.

Thank you, officer. My Father desperately needed that reality check.

As we were sorting out the last few details, the female constable started sharing her opinion on an incident that had taken place the previous night.

Apparently, someone took a shot at a woman's car...because of the dress she had on.

"That woman was roaming around at night with a short dress on! Obviously she was inviting trouble! I mean, I get off work by 10-11pm as well, but no one turns around and looks at me. If you wear clothes like that, it's obvious that it's your mistake. A woman who dresses like that deserves no respect. Has no respect. Tell me, would anyone ever respect a woman like that?" (A rough paraphrase.)

Let me just reiterate.

A female constable basically insinuated that a victim's clothing justifies the actions that are committed against her, advocating the notion that respect and consent is directly proportional to the length of ones garment.

According to this constable, and those who think like her, women need to realize their limitations. Women need to shut up and obey. Women need to conform to the expectations of society. Women need to stop rebelling. Basically, women should only leave the house to buy groceries.

I always thought that victim blaming was a myth. There's no possible way anyone is ignorant enough to blame, not the perpetrator, but the victim itself, right? Right?

What I want to wear is my choice, not your excuse. Where, when and who I decide on roaming around with is not your justification. Drinking, flirting or a bloody short skirt is not an invitation.

PEOPLE NEED TO GET THIS.

This is why I need feminism. Not to belittle or overpower men, but to have a day where I can walk into a police station, demand repercussions, and not get victim shamed.

I need feminism so I don't have to modify my habits, choices and decisions according to someone else's ideologies.

I need feminism so that people stop hating women—so that women stop hating women.

I need feminism so the next time someone tries to mess with me I have enough courage not cower down because people have told me to "get used to it."