Background: Eve teasing, a widespread problem in India, involves verbal abuse, catcalling, suggestive comments, and unwanted physical contact in public spaces. Although often dismissed as harmless, it is a serious form of sexual harassment that threatens women’s safety and mental health. Victims commonly experience fear, anxiety, and emotional distress, sometimes leading to school dropouts, early marriages, and family tensions – particularly in rural areas where social stigma and underreporting are prevalent. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the incidence of eve teasing and identify coping mechanisms among adolescent girls in urban and rural areas of Ambala, Haryana. Methodology: A comparative descriptive study was conducted among 240 adolescent girls aged 13–18 years from the selected schools in urban and rural Ambala, using a purposive sampling technique. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed for trends. Results: Urban girls (90%) reported significantly higher incidences of eve teasing than rural counterparts (18.3%). Public spaces and educational institutions were frequent harassment sites, especially for urban participants. Urban respondents often adopted avoidance strategies, such as changing routes (mean = 3.96) and routines (mean = 3.99). Conversely, rural girls relied more on family support (mean = 4.01). Reporting to authorities was low across both groups. In addition, smartphone use, family type, and extracurricular involvement varied between urban and rural participants. Conclusion: The findings highlight an urgent need for awareness programs, stronger support systems, and policy measures to address eve teasing and empower adolescent girls in both urban and rural settings.
Ghanshyam Rathore (Thu,) studied this question.