“That Slap Was Heavenly”: Mansi Suravase’s viral video brings attention to everyday harassment — and why many women can’t react in time

April 29, 2025

Mansi Suravase was recording a video when a man walking past her touched her inappropriately on the shoulder. He kept walking, as if nothing had happened. But Mansi didn’t stay silent—she grabbed his arm, confronted him, and slapped him. “What’s your problem?” she asked, loud and clear.

She later uploaded the clip to social media, where it quickly went viral. Viewers flooded the post with comments like, “That slap was heavenly,” and “Never felt this proud of someone ever before.” The video has since been picked up by several news outlets and widely shared as a moment of real-time accountability.

You can watch the video by clicking here

But what happened in that brief clip has opened up a deeper conversation: Why does this kind of harassment happen so often? And why do most women feel unable to respond?

Why some men do this

Research indicates that perpetrators of street harassment often operate from a sense of entitlement and a desire to assert power. Research published in journals such as Violence Against Women shows that public harassment is typically about control, not attraction. Some men take advantage of crowded or open spaces, assuming they’ll walk away without consequence.

This pattern thrives in places where such behavior is ignored, excused, or treated lightly. And that’s a serious social problem.

Why many women can’t react in time

When faced with sudden harassment, many women experience what’s known as the “freeze” response or tonic immobility—a natural, involuntary reaction to trauma where the body becomes temporarily paralyzed. This response is a survival mechanism, and it’s crucial to understand that not reacting doesn’t equate to consent or weakness. Victims often blame themselves for not responding, but this physiological reaction is beyond conscious control.

Although Mansi’s response stood out, the incident she experienced is far from rare. For many women, small acts of public harassment, like an unwanted touch, a comment, or a gesture, are part of daily life. And because they happen so quickly and are often dismissed as “minor,” they go unreported and unchallenged.

But that doesn’t mean they don’t leave a mark. Research shows that ongoing exposure to such incidents can increase anxiety, erode a person’s sense of safety, and affect how freely they move through public spaces. It can alter behavior, such as changing routes or clothing choices, to avoid potential harassment, leading to a restricted sense of freedom and autonomy.

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Still, it’s important to remember that not everyone can or should be expected to confront harassment in the moment. The goal isn’t to expect every woman to fight back physically; it’s to build a society where such behavior isn’t tolerated in the first place.

Mansi’s action reminded viewers of what standing up can look like. But the broader message is one for all of us: silence helps normalize misconduct. Speaking up, even in small, everyday ways, can help challenge it.