‘Society needs to talk about criminals, not victims’: Prova

Actress Sadia Jahan Prova has criticised the culture of victim-blaming on social media, urging people to hold perpetrators accountable rather than subjecting victims to public scrutiny and harassment in a video shared on 10 November.

Prova, who has repeatedly spoken out against online bullying targeting women, questioned why victims often face relentless criticism while those accused of violating their privacy escape comparable public condemnation.

Reflecting on her own experience of online harassment, which she said had continued for nearly 16 years, the actress urged people to reconsider where they direct their criticism.

“I have been bullied on social media for almost 16 years. I know that you get sheer pleasure out of bullying me. My point is, I wish you had directed even 50 percent of the criticism you have subjected me to towards that criminal,” she said.

Prova also condemned the practice of sharing someone's private information or personal material on social media without their consent, describing it as a serious offence.

She questioned why public attention so often shifts towards judging victims instead of addressing the actions of those responsible for harming them.

“We should highlight the wrongdoings of people who harm others and breach their privacy by revealing something on social media without their consent. This is a huge crime. Instead of bullying these people, you are blaming the victims day by day,” she said.

Referring to a man named Tanmoy, Prova further highlighted society's failure to distinguish between perpetrators and victims, calling for greater accountability.

“Victims are already in a miserable situation,” she added.