Demand for the Establishment of Sexual Harrassment Committes in all Educational Institutions

Dear All,


Some of you may be aware of the case of a young student who was sexually abused and gang-raped by the Staff of her institution at the PTC College in Patan.


The victim said she was gang-raped at least 14 times during the last six months in the college laboratory and computer room, where she was summoned under a threat that her career would be ruined by denial of internal assessment marks.


News Report:The Hindu, February 6th, 2008.


In view of the case, we demand,


1. A thorough inquiry in the case of repeated gang rape and sexual exploitation of girls in the P.T.C. College of Patan and immediate and stern steps against all involved.


2. Immediate steps should be taken against the principal and college management who failed to take necessary actions on receiving the complaint. The investigation of their collusion with the accused and collusion of any other political leaders including the ex education minister or other ministers must be undertaken immediately and stern action should be taken against all those found guilty.


3. The government of Gujarat must immediately implement the Supreme Court guidelines in the case of Vishakha VS. State of Rajasthan and ensure that complaints committees against sexual harassment are established in each place of work and every educational institutions, i.e. Schools, colleges, universities, Ashram Shalas, hostels etc.


4. As given in the guideline the complaint committee must be headed by a woman and at least one of the members should be from a reputed NGO who is familiar in dealing with the cases of Sexual Harassment.


5. The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda must immediately establish a complaints committee against sexual harassment as per the guidelines given in the Vishakha Judgement and by U. G. C.


6. Committees should be established in all the faculties, institutions, projects, hostels run under university and should include representatives form female students, PhD. Students, permanent and temporary teaching and non-teaching staff.


7. All the women employees, teachers and students should be made aware and informed about the functioning of such committee and the names, addresses and phone number of the members of such committee.