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CHENNAI: Women in Chennai can feel safer about venturing out alone; government statistics are on their side. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report on crime in India in 2009, Chennai ranks 34th among 35 cities across the country when it comes to crimes and offences committed against women.

While Delhi, Hyderabad , Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Mumbai take the top five slots, Chennai is penultimate on the list, followed by Dhanbad.

The report is based on the number of cases reported in local police stations and takes into account crimes such as rape, eve-teasing , molestation , kidnapping and abduction, demands for dowry and cruelty by husband and relatives in 35 cities across India.

The reactions to the NCRB report from women in the city was mixed. While most agreed that they felt safer in Chennai than in other metros, some felt that the city's ranking was so low because women did not report crimes.

Fewer cases registered in Chennai, feel women

"Crimes like eve-teasing and domestic abuse go unreported here. Women feel ashamed to report sexual abuse and harassment and think of it as a black mark on their character. Cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore are more progressive in that sense," said R Preethi, a software professional who has lived in Ahmedabad, Chennai and Bangalore.

Preethi said she felt the safest and least threatened in Ahmedabad. "I find it hard to believe that Ahmedabad ranks third. In the eight years that I lived in the city, I have never been teased or harassed even once unlike in Chennai where I get teased almost every day in MTC buses," she said.

Most women felt less threatened in Chennai when compared to Delhi and Bangalore. "I am from Delhi and came to Chennai to study. I felt safer stepping out after 10pm unlike in Delhi where it is dangerous for a woman to step out alone after sundown," said M Megha, a student.

Aarti Krishnakumar, a freelance writer, said that in comparison to Mumbai and Bangalore, she felt safer in Chennai.

"I have never felt threatened in Chennai. Though I have faced stray incidents of eve-teasing, it has never been anything unmanageable," she said.

D Vinaya, a journalist from Mumbai who has lived in Chennai, said that though the city was safe, the attitude of policemen and society was hostile to women who stayed out late. "In Mumbai, police are extremely friendly. They are posted at night just for the safety of women as a lot of them are out till late at night," she said.

"Mumbai is the only city where I can take an auto alone at 3am without fear. Though Chennai is safe, this is not something I can do here," said R Sruthi, a media professional.