Why Women Often Hesitate to Report Sexual Misconduct (GS Paper 2, Governance)
Context
- Sexual harassment remains a critical issue across various sectors, from academia and media to corporate environments.
- Despite legislative measures like the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) Act, 2013, women frequently hesitate to report such incidents.
- A recent case involving a research scholar from a prominent university in Delhi underscores the challenges women face when seeking justice.
- This article explores the reasons behind the reluctance to report sexual misconduct and the systemic issues that exacerbate this problem.
Key Challenges Faced by Women Reporting Sexual Misconduct
Delayed Action by Internal Committees
- One significant barrier is the often slow and ineffective response of Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs).
- For example, the 29-year-old PhD scholar from Delhi experienced delays; her complaint was filed in May, but action wasn’t taken until July, by which time she had already left the university.
- Such delays, coupled with insensitivity from ICCs, discourage victims from pursuing their complaints further.
Fear of Repercussions and Career Impact
- Women often worry that reporting sexual harassment will negatively impact their careers.
- The PhD scholar’s situation exemplifies this fear—had the ICC acted more promptly, she might not have felt compelled to leave her program.
- The fear of retaliation or professional setbacks makes many victims reluctant to come forward.
Character Assassination
- Victims who report harassment often face character defamation.
- For instance, a student from Jamia Millia Islamia who alleged harassment by her professor encountered severe personal attacks during the ICC proceedings.
- Such experiences exacerbate feelings of vulnerability and may discourage other women from reporting similar incidents.
Lack of Trust in Internal Complaints Committees
- Despite the PoSH Act requiring ICCs in workplaces with at least 10 women employees, many women distrust these committees.
- They may perceive ICCs as biased or ineffective, leading some, like the Jamia student, to report their cases directly to the police instead.
- This lack of trust undermines the effectiveness of the PoSH Act.
Institutional Evasion of Responsibility
- Organizations often handle complaints inconsistently. Some companies may dismiss less severe issues, like inappropriate comments, while only addressing more serious cases.
- Additionally, organizations might suggest reconciliation rather than formal action, creating an intimidating process that deters victims from seeking justice.
Insufficient Penalties and Oversight
- Although the PoSH Act prescribes penalties for non-compliance, enforcement is often weak.
- Instances of organizations losing licenses due to non-compliance are rare.
- Most district authorities conduct only basic checks, and rigorous enforcement of guidelines is not uniformly applied across the country.
Recommendations for Improved Implementation of PoSH
Stricter Monitoring and Accountability
- To enhance the effectiveness of ICCs, there should be government-mandated platforms where external members can report inconsistencies and violations.
- This could help ensure that ICCs operate transparently and fairly.
Improved Sensitivity and Timeliness of Responses
- ICCs must be trained to handle complaints with sensitivity and promptness.
- Quick and empathetic responses are essential to prevent driving victims away and to uphold the integrity of the reporting process.
Ensuring Victim Protection and Transparency
- Organizations need to implement measures that protect victims from retaliation and character assassination during investigations.
- Creating a transparent process will encourage more women to come forward and report incidents of sexual misconduct.
By addressing these systemic issues and fostering a culture of support and accountability, organizations and institutions can create safer environments where women feel empowered to report sexual misconduct without fear of repercussions.
