Sexual Harassment Redressal Cell
About Us
Kuvempu University has established the Sexual Harassment Redressal Cell on 23/12/2009 in the campus. The Cell intends to take care of complaints from women and solve the problems according to UGC guidelines and Supreme Court orders. The Cell creates awareness on sexual harassment redressal mechanisms through brochures, posters, and newspaper advertisements. The Cell organizes seminars/special talks and speeches about sexual harassment in the campus. The Cell has formulated a committee called Internal Complaint Committee on Sexual Harassment. The Committee contains eight members and has actively been involved in resolving the complaints through proper enquiry. Informal methods would be first adopted to resolve the problems amicably. If necessary, the Committee will conduct detailed enquiry. Humanistic approach will be adopted while dealing with the complaint. Safe and fearless environment will be created to speak openly about the harassment.
Internal Committee Members
| Sl.No. | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Prof. Sarvamangala. G. PG. Dept. of History and Archeology, Kuvempu University, Jnana Sahyadri, Shankaraghatta |
Chairperson |
| 02 | Prof. Gurulingiah. M. Director, Student Welfare Kuvempu University, Jnana Sahyadri, Shankaraghatta |
Member |
| 03 | Dr. Shwetha A Representative of Women(Teaching) Asst. Professor, PG. Dept. of Zoology Kuvempu University, Jnana Sahyadri, Shankaraghatta |
Member |
| 04 | Dr. Sathish Kumar K. Representative of Men(Teaching) Associate Professor, PG. Dept. of Journalism and Mass Communication Kuvempu University, Jnana Sahyadri, Shankaraghatta |
Member |
| 05 | Principal, Sahyadri Science College Shivamogga |
Member |
| 06 | Principal, Sahyadri Commerce and Management College Shivamogga |
Member |
| 07 | Smt. Navarathna. T Deputy Registrar, Finance Section, Representative of Women(SC/ST)(Non-Teaching) Kuvempu University, Jnana Sahyadri, Shankaraghatta |
Member |
| 08 | Smt. K.T.Sujatha, Senior Assistant, P.A. to Registrar section, Representative of Women(Non-Teaching) Kuvempu University, Jnana Sahyadri, Shankaraghatta |
Member |
| 09 | Smt. Amarajyothi G, First Division Assistant, HRM, Section, Representative of Women(Non-Teaching) Kuvempu University, Jnana Sahyadri, Shankaraghatta |
Member |
| 10 | Smt. Shobha Advocate Notary, Bhadravathi, Bhadravathi Tq and Shivamogga Dist |
Member |
| 11 | Smt. Sandya Kaveri Counselor NGO |
Member |
| 12 | Mrs. Akarsh S Representative of Research Students(Men) Research Scholar, PG. Dept. of Microbiology Kuvempu University, Jnana Sahyadri, Shankaraghatta |
Member |
| 13 | Mis. Varnashree Representative of Research Students(Women) Research Scholar, PG. Dept. of Journalism and Mass Communication Kuvempu University, Jnana Sahyadri, Shankaraghatta |
Member |
| 14 | Mrs. Darshan Representative of Students(Men) 1st M.Com, PG. Dept. of Commerce Kuvempu University, Jnana Sahyadri, Shankaraghatta |
Member |
| 15 | Mis Vinodha G T Representative of Students(Women) 1st BP.Ed., PG. Dept. of Physical Education Kuvempu University, Jnana Sahyadri, Shankaraghatta |
Member |
Internal Complaints Receiving Committee Members
| Sl.No. | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Prof. Sarvamangala. G. PG. Dept. of History and Archeology, Kuvempu University, Jnana Sahyadri, Shankaraghatta |
Chairperson |
| 02 | Dean, Student Welfare Kuvempu University, Jnana Sahyadri, Shankaraghatta |
Member |
| 3 | Smt. Shobha Advocate Notary, Bhadravathi, Bhadravathi Tq and Shivamogga Dist |
Member |
| 4 | Smt. Sandya Kaveri Counselor NGO, Shivamogga |
Member |
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is about any unwelcome sexually determined behaviour (whether directly or by implication) such as physical contact and advances, demand or request for sexual favours, sexually coloured remarks, showing pornography, or any other unwelcome physical verbal or non-verbal conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment is a form of violence against women and a human rights violation. It is a violation of fundamental rights as laid down in the Indian Constitution. Such behaviour transgresses common dignity and gender equality and denies equal opportunity
According to The Supreme Court definition, sexual harassment is any unwelcome sexually determined behaviour, such as
- Physical contact
- A demand or request for sexual favours
- Sexually coloured remarks
- Showing pornography
- Any other physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of a sexual nature.
- Combating sexual harassment can be best achieved by building women's confidence (including conducting self-defence classes on campuses). Students should be enabled to protest against incidents as and when they happen. A sporadic incident can possibly be tackled right away, but all forms of abuse of power or sources of ongoing discomfort and fear based on unwanted sexual attention must be reported to the complaints committee.
Redressal Methods
- Use a standard format for the recording of complaints --if there has been a series of incidents, seek information about all previous incidents; collect evidence like messages, emails and any other relevant documents, including itemised call records.
- Reduce oral complaints to writing using the standard format--ensure that the complaint is as far as possible in the words of the complainant. Ensure that all documents submitted by the complainant are authenticated on every page, countersigned by the member of the ICC who has recorded/received the complaint.
- Granting interim relief to complainants: addressing requests for transfer, leave, medical care/leave, protections against victimisation.
- Implementation of guarantees of confidentiality and principles of natural justice, including serving restraint orders, and interim disciplinary action.
-
Procedures to be followed in formal enquiry:
- Order and manner of inquiry: the necessity of adopting a mode of inquiry whereby the respondent has a full opportunity to understand the case being made out against him before he presents his defence.
- Dealing with depositions: verbatim vs. sense-based reduction of oral depositions. Use of questions and answers. Administration of an oath of confidentiality, and signatures on attendance sheets. The necessity of the deposition being explained to the witness in a language she/he can understand, and the use of translation/interpretation. Also, the need for the authentication of depositions (preferably on the same day) by all witnesses, particularly the respondent.
- Procedures for the cross-examination of the parties and their witnesses, modulated by the guiding principles of gender-sensitivity and noncoercion. Supply of authenticated and anonymised depositions to both parties.
- How to summon and interview official witnesses and access official records.
- How to write an enquiry report: The need to address all the aspects of evidence, and depositions with regard to the complaint as well as procedural objections.
- Protocols for submitting an enquiry report.
The Task Force is of the opinion that the following principles must be adopted as the directive principles for the institution and functioning of sexual harassment policies.
- Confidentiality
- Non-coercion and Interim Relief
- Fair Enquiry
- Orientation towards Education and Redressal
- Representative Committees