Harassment cases: Varsity cell still mum

Updated on: Thursday, June 30, 2011

The incident of suicide attempt of a research scholar brings into focus the inactive 'Sexual Harassment Cell' of the RU. Most complaints go unnoticed in the absence of a proper platform to register their complaints.

TOI talked to some researchers who confirmed of often being subjected to sexist gestures, lewd jokes and remarks. Sunita Sharma (name changed) says, "My guide calls me for a walk in the evening followed by a cup of coffee at his residence. He always insists on getting a gift for him for guiding me in my research."
Most girls express ignorance about the existence of a cell. In the last one year, they received only two complaints against guides.

Asha Kaushik, head of SHC committee, said that girls often come up with complaints of sexual, mental and financial harassment. But when we ask them to give it in writing, they refuse." She said the cell cannot act against anyone in the absence of a written complaint. She admits that victims are scared to approach the authorities as they fear it might malign their image. They also fear that the professor or guide might not cooperate with them in their research work or give them poor marks, added Kaushik.

"We feel helpless as we can neither register a formal complaint nor inform our family members as we are always at the receiving end," says another victim. "They consider our silence as our consent to their advances," she adds.

Even the university is not serious about handling such cases. They have put a compliant box at the reception of the administrative block which is difficult to reach as it is mostly crowded.

The Supreme Court laid down certain guidelines in 2007 prohibiting sexual harassment at workplace. It had directed all the states to establish a complaint committee at their educational institutions and other places of work, headed preferably by a woman and with at least half members being women.

Times of India

Harassment cases: Varsity cell still mum

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