What is this Act about?
This Act makes it illegal to sexually harass women in the workplace. It talks about the different ways in which someone can be sexually harassed and how they can complain against this kind of behaviour.
Is this Act only for women?
Yes, this Act is only for women who are sexually harassed in workplaces.
Is this Act only for working women?
No, this Act is for any woman who is harassed in any workplace. It is not necessary for the woman to be working at the workplace in which she is harassed. A workplace can be any office, whether government or private.
There is no sexual harassment at my office. Do I still have to follow the instructions regarding setting up an Internal Complaints Committee?
Yes, even if there are no cases of sexual harassment at the moment, it is still necessary for the committee to be set up and for all rules to be followed.
Am I not allowed to approach the police and courts because of this Act?
No, the Act gives you a choice between dealing with the offender within the office or approaching a court. If you wish, you can file a criminal complaint instead of approaching your Internal/Local Complaints Committee.
Read the entire act here. You can read more about this act in Hindi, here.
Also read: Know All About Sexual Harassment At The Workplace And The Law
The aggrieved women has both the options simultaneously i.e. file a complaint with the Internal/Local Complaints Committee as well as approach the police, if she so desires. For more information, please visit http://www.complykaro.com
Excellent ….this is very essential for every women….