Lakshmi Devan, one of the Top 10 Linkedin Influencers got harassed on a solo trip. She encourages women to raise their voices.
Lakshmi Devan, got harassed while she was on her solo trip to Goa. She is one of the Top 10 Linkedin Influencers yet she was told that she shouldn’t have traveled alone since she is a woman.

Hi, I am Lakshmi Devan (she/her), Brand & Communications Advisor at Vortle.
I'm always happy to get an excuse to write about something I'm passionate about, especially when I know that it can make a real impact.
On May 2, 2022, I was stalked and harassed while I was on my solo trip to Goa.
An unforgettable trip
The person who harassed me somehow found out where I was staying. They then refused to leave until I met them and accepted the gifts they’d brought for me.
Mind you, I hadn’t shared my location anywhere on social media.
Higher authorities had to be called and the matter was resolved, but for the next 5 days, I was too shaken up to leave my room. I barely slept. I triple-checked my doors and windows. I just ate take-out and cried myself to sleep.
I was told that I shouldn’t have traveled alone since I’m a woman. I shouldn’t be “so open” on LinkedIn. I was asked why my Instagram profile was public when it had pictures of me in a swimsuit?
Do you have any idea what it is like to live with rape anxiety?
Some people still won’t stop blaming women for gender-based violence.
Every woman I know has held her keys in her hand as she walked across the parking lot.
Every woman I know has made a fake phone call in a cab.
Every woman I know has had to enter a shop to avoid being followed at some point.
Every woman I know has had a man threaten her safety in some way when she said no to a date.
My heart goes out to all the women in the world today.
I don’t want to hide anymore. Let’s share our stories and amplify our voices. Let the world know how it feels. Maybe then change will come. ❤️
Article by Lakshmi Devan