Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) and Special Cell for Gender Based Violence and Gender Sensitization against Sexual Harassment in Andhra University
Andhra University women's Grievance and Redressal Cell was established in September, 2009 which later evolved into Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) and Special Cell for Gender Based Violence and Gender Sensitization against Sexual Harassment
The main objective behind establishing the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) is:
"No woman in the University Campus shall be subjected to Sexual Harassment at Workplace"
An Internal Complaints Committee is hereby constituted in the Andhra University campus to deal with complaints of sexual harassment in the University campus as per the mandatory requirements under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013
Any woman associated with Andhra University in the capacity of a teaching, non- teaching employee casual or contract worker, teacher on ad-hoc or contractual appointment, research scholar, student of any course including distance education or private study may complain about sexual harassment in the workplace.
Workplace includes class rooms, departmental offices, chambers of teaching staff all administrative offices, libraries laboratories, canteens gardens grounds and all places within the Andhra University campus hostels transport provided by the University or any place outside the campus visited by the complainant woman in connection with her work like field work or attending a seminar or workshop or training programme etc. Workplace may even include any residential premises if the visit is in connection with the work of the complainant woman.
All Complaints of Sexual Harassment shall be referred only to the Internal Complaints Committee and No other officer of the University shall have the power to settle or compromise a case.
Sexual Harassment means and includes anyone or more of the unwelcome acts or behavior (whether directly or by implication) namely;
- Physical contact and /or advances.
- A demand or request for sexual favours.
- Stalking.
- Making sexually coloured remarks or character assassination.
- Showing pornography or
- Any other verbal physical or non-verbal conduct of a sexual nature.
Linking up any sexual favours to the progress or otherwise of the career/employment or examination results or success or otherwise at the course being pursued by the aggrieved woman is also sexual harassment.
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE ICC
The primary function of the ICC is to enquire into the complaints of sexual harassment and make recommendations accordingly. The ICC may also attempt to settle the matter through conciliation. It may also conduct awareness programmes or workshops within the campus or in affiliated colleges. It shall also submit annual reports to the University.
DUTIES OF THE UNIVERSITY
The University Administration shall facilitate the activities of the ICC and make available necessary and adequate financial resources to the Women's Grievance and Redressal Cell and Internal Complaints Committee.COMPLAINTS:
Complaint has to be normally by the aggrieved woman, that is a woman who is or has been subjected to sexual harassment. Every complaint must be in writing. Complaint must be made within three months of the incident and in case of a series of incidents. Within three months of the last such incident. In fit cases, this time may be extended.
CONCILIATION:
Before instituting any inquiry, the ICC may at the request of the aggrieved woman, seek to settle the matter through conciliation. If the matter is not settled through conciliation, the ICC may proceed with regular inquiry.
INQUIRY
The inquiry has to be completed within ninety days of registering the complaint. For conducting the inquiry, the ICC shall have the power to enforce the presence of any person before itself, or production of any document or do anything that is incidental or necessary for an expeditious inquiry.
These recommendations shall be implemented and compliance report has to be sent to the ICC.
The ICC shall forward its report to the University within ten days after the completion of the inquiry.
If the ICC arrives at the conclusion that the complaint has been proved, it shall recommend to the employer, taking action against the respondent under the service rules, or deduction of any amount from or payment of any sum by the respondent to the aggrieved women. These recommendations shall be implemented by the employer within sixty days.
FALSE COMPLAINTS
Deliberately lodging a false complaint is actionable.
THE AIMS OF THE CELL
- To create awareness about the sexual harassment of women at workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013 and also assure safety and security to all women studying and working in Andhra University
- To discuss the problems and grievances faced by girl students, scholars, and women employees of Andhra University. Fact find enquiries will be conducted as and when occasion arises and suitable recommendations will be made. Awareness programs will be conducted periodically in the campus.
- To display details of the members of the Internal Complaints Committee on the notice boards in the campus
MEMBERS OF THE ICC, ANDHRA UNIVERSITY
