Anti Harassment Cell

As per the Supreme Court Judgment and guidelines issued in the year 1997 to provide for the effective enforcement of the basic human right of gender equality and guarantee against sexual harassment and abuse, more particularly against sexual harassment at work places, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued circulars since 1998, to all the universities, advising them to establish a permanent cell and a committee and to develop guidelines to combat sexual harassment, violence against women and ragging in colleges and universities. Keeping the above guidelines in mind the institution has constituted a Committee against Sexual Harassment.

Vision

To provide congenial environment of gender equality and against sexual harassment for the well-being of the staff and students.

Mission

 To promote awareness among students about gender justice and harmonious coexistence through campaigns and other awareness programs.

 To constitute panel / committee for redressal of grievances relating to sexual harassment.

Objectives

 To develop guidelines and norms for policies against sexual harassment

 To develop principles and procedures to combat sexual harassment

 To work out details for the implementation these policies.

 To prepare a detailed plan of actions, both short and long term

 To organize gender sensitization awareness program.

 To deal with cases of discrimination and sexual harassment in a time bound manner, aiming at ensuring support services to the victimized

The cell considers sexual harassment to include unwelcome sexually determined behaviour whether directly or by implication such as

 A demand or request for sexual favours.

 Sexually coloured remarks.

 Showing of pornography.

 Any other unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of sexual nature.

The following issues also come under the purview of the committee

 Eve-teasing

 Unsavory remarks.

 Jokes causing or likely to cause discomfort or embarrassment.

 Gender-based insults or sexist remarks.

 Unwelcome sexual overtone in any manner such as over telephone (obnoxious telephone calls) and the like.

 Touching or brushing against any part of the body and the like.

 Displaying of pornographic or other offensive or derogatory pictures, cartoons, pamphlets or sayings.

 Forcible physical touch or molestation

 Physical confinement against one’s will and any other act likely to violate one’s privacy.

Roles & Responsibilities of women Anti-Harassment cell

1. To provide information regarding counseling and support services on our campus for women employees/female students.
2. The cell will provide assistance to the faculties for taking preventive steps in the matter of gender discrimination and sexual harassment.
3. To promote awareness about sexual harassment through educational initiatives that encourages and fosters a respectful and safe campus environment.
4. To provide a neutral, confidential and supportive environment for members of the campus community who may have been sexually harassed.
5. To ensure that students, faculty and staff are provided with current and comprehensive materials on sexual harassment and assault.
6. Women Anti-Harassment cell shall consider all grievances submitted in writing by an individual regarding working conditions, eve teasing and any other alleged injustice or harassment done to female employee/girl students while discharging their duties/attending sessions at the institute and forwards the written complaint to Internal Complaint Committee.

Functioning of the cell: The complaint mechanism procedure to file/report a complaint

• The secretary will inform Internal Complaint Committee, and call the complaint for a personal meeting, usually within a week from the submission of the written complaint.
• If the case falls outside the purview of the ICC, the complaint will be informed to Appellate Authority.
• If the case comes under the purview of the ICC, an enquiry committee will be setup.
• The committee will submit a report and recommend the nature of action to be taken at the earliest by Director.
• If any legal action is required with the help of advocate member of the ICC complaint is forwarded to police.