Lok Sabha Question No. 28 (STARRED), answered on 2018-02-05
Subject: Sexual Harassment
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: GEETHA KOTHAPALLI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION No. 28 TO BE ANSWERED ON 5.2.2018

## Sexual Harassment

## *28. SHRIMATI KOTHAPALLI GEETHA:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a)    whether the Government is aware that as per the Report of the National Commission for Women (NCW), the highest number of sexual harassment cases have been reported from the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)    the details of the steps taken for sensitisation of students and staff on issues concerning sexual harassment cases and the details of the guidelines being followed in JNU for quick response to  cases  of  sexual  harassment  and  to  dispose  of  such  cases  within  a  stipulated period of time;
- (c)    whether JNU remains a zero tolerance zone to incidents of sexual harassment and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)   the details of the number of sexual harassment cases reported and disposed of during each of the last three years and the current year, University-wise?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

- (a) to (d) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 28 FOR 5.2.2018 ASKED BY SHRIMATI KOTHAPALLI GEETHA, HON'BLE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT REGARDING SEXUAL HARASSMENT.

(a) No, Madam. The National Commission for Women (NCW) has not submitted any report on the subject.

(b) & (c) The establishment of an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) is mandatory, as per the Sexual  Harassment  of  Women  at  Workplace  (Prevention,  Prohibition  and  Redressal)  Act  of 2013  and  University  Grants  Commission  (Prevention,  prohibition  and  redressal  of  sexual harassment of women employees and students in higher educational institutions) Regulations, 2015.

Jawaharlal  Nehru  University  (JNU)  had  a  Gender  Sensitization  Committee  Against  Sexual Harassment (GSCASH) which dealt with the complaints of sexual harassment. All members of the  university  community  including  those  in  temporary  or  short  term  positions  were  covered under  the  sexual  harassment  policy  of  the  university.  An  ICC  has  been  established  on 18.09.2017  replacing  GSCASH.  It  has  organized  a  workshop  on  Self  Defence  Techniques Training for the girls/women of JNU along with the Security Office where women trainers from Delhi Police taught the basics of self defence. With a policy of zero tolerance towards sexual harassment, ICC interacted with JNU students community sensitizing them about harassment & violence and creating awareness about the role of ICC in case of any untoward incident.

(d)  University-wise details of sexual harassment cases are not centrally maintained. As regards JNU, in year 2014-15, total 35 cases were reported and 3 enquiries have been completed and 4 complaints  have  been  withdrawn.  In year  2015-16  out  of  the  total  42  cases,  3  enquiries  have been completed and six cases could not be proceeded due to non-availability of either/both the parties after several effort. Details for the period 2016-17 (upto 17.09.2017) are not available as GSCASH office is under double lock as per the directions of the Hon'ble High court of Delhi in WP (C) No. 8446/2017. From 18.09.2017 to 18.01.2018 out of 12 cases filed, 3 cases have been disposed and 1 case has been transferred to Dean Office. The number of cases reported on the JNU campus is higher side because the policy encourages the JNU community to register such complaints.

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