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Complaint Committee for Prevention of Sexual Harassment

Complaint Committee for Prevention of Sexual Harassment

The Sexual harassment of women at workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 is a legislative act in India that seeks to protect women from sexual harassment at their place of work.

Taking this into account the Nirma University has set up the Complaint Committee for Prevention of Sexual Harassment with the objective to uphold women’s right to protection against sexual harassment and for the prevention and redressal of sexual harassment; to promote a social, physical and psychological environment that will raise awareness about and deter acts of sexual harassment of women; to organise gender sensitisation programmes; and, to deal with cases of discrimination and sexual harassment against women, in a time bound manner, and submit the inquiry committee report to the chairperson, if required.

Definition of Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexually tinted behaviour, whether directly or by implication, such as physical contact and advances, demand or request for sexual favours, making sexually coloured remarks, showing pornography, or any other unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of a sexual nature.

Some of the other things covered within the definition of sexual harassment include eveteasing, unsavoury remarks, jokes causing or likely to cause awkwardness or embarrassment, innuendos and taunts, gender based insults or sexist remarks, unwelcome sexual overtone in any manner such as over telephone, touching or brushing against any part of the body and the like, displaying pornographic or other offensive or derogatory pictures, cartoons, pamphlets or sayings, and forcible physical touch or molestation.

Procedure for Approaching Committee

A Committee especially constituted for Prevention of Sexual Harassment at the Nirma University deals with the issues mentioned above. It is applicable to all students, staff and faculty members. A complaint of discrimination or sexual harassment may be lodged by the victim or a third party. A written complaint may be addressed to the Chair of the Committee.

If the complaint is made to any Head of Institute, they may forward it to the Convener of the Committee Against Sexual Harassment.