UNIVERSITY OF MYSORE
|
|
SENSITIZATION, PREVENTION AND REDRESSAL OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Bodies of SPARSH:
SPARSH shall include the Apex body of SPARSH (ABS) and the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), earlier called University Complaints Committee (UCC). The ABS shall aim to sensitize and work to prevent sexual harassment in the university. The ICC shall consider complaints regarding sexual harassment, and will conduct enquiries, suggesting suitable action.
Functions, Powers and duties of ABS: i. To uphold the commitment of the Central University of Karnataka to provide campus environment free of gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment and other acts of genderbased violence. ii. To promote a social and psychological environment which will raise awareness about genderbased discrimination and prevent sexual harassment and other acts of gender-based violence. iii. To generate awareness about gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment and other acts of gender-based violence.
Functions, powers and Duties of ICC: i. To fulfill the directives of the Supreme Court enjoining all employees to develop and implement a policy against sexual harassment at the workplace. ii. To evolve a permanent mechanism for prevention and redressal of gender - based discrimination, sexual harassment and other acts of gender-based violence. iii. To ensure that the provisions of the ordinance are implemented in letter and spirit through proper reporting and redressal of the complaints.
Operational definitions:
Sexual harassment: This shall include such unwelcome sexual behaviour (whether directly or by implication) as:
a. Unwanted physical contact and advances.
b. A demand or request for sexual favours.
c. Sexually-coloured remarks
d. Displaying pornography
e. Any other unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct ofsexual nature.
Academic staff:
This shall include any person on the staff of the university who is appointed to a teaching and/or research post, whether full time, temporary, ad-hoc, part time, visiting, honorary, or on special duty, or employees on a casual or project basis.
Campus: This includes all the places vested, controlled and/or administered by the Central University of Karnataka.
Non-governmental Organization (NGO): This shall include any NGO registered under the Societies Registration Act or is a public Charitable Trust. Such an NGO should be engaged in work connect with gender equality.
Counsellor: This shall include any women from among the staff, who has expertise in social and personal counseling on matters arising out of incidents of sexual harassment.
Non-teaching staff: This shall include any person on the staff of the university who is not appointed to a teaching and/or research post, whether full time, temporary, adhoc, part time, on daily wages, on honorary or on special duty, or deputation, and shall include employees on a casual or project basis.
Resident: This shall include any person who is a temporary or a permanent resident occupying any accommodation or premises managed and/or allotted by the Central University of Karnataka.
Service provider: This shall include any person who runs on manages commercial enterprises, or provides services on the campus.
Procedure for Filing Complaints with the ICC:
i. The complaint may be oral or in writing. if it is oral, it shall be recorded in writing by the receiving authority.
ii. Complaints to be registered in strict confidentially.
iii. Taking cognizance of complaints about sexual harassment, the ICC shall conduct enquiries, provide assistance and redressal to the victims, recommend penalties and other action to be taken.
iv. Any student resident, service provider, outsider, faculty member or non-teaching staff may file a complaint of sexual harassment against a student, resident, service provider, outsiders, faculty members or non-teaching-staff.
v. The party may lodge a complaint directly to the Vice-Chancellor, or to any member of the ICC.
vi. The complaint may be oral or in writing. If it is oral, it shall be put into writing by the ICC.
vii. The ICC may hear both the parties (Complaint and the accused) in a manner as it may deem appropriate, and determine the course of action that the situation merits.
viii. The ICC will be responsible for conducting a formal enquiry against the student/teacher/non-teaching staff member/service provider allegedly involved in a case on the basis of its findings during the preliminary enquiry.
ix. The inquiry shall be conducted under the rules and procedure already laid down by the University and will be in conformity with the principles of natural justice.
x. The formal inquiry shall commence within a week and shall be completed within two months from the date of its reference. If the ICC finds it impractical to dispose the case within the given time, it will be recorded in writing, and the period may be extended by the Vice-chancellor