SHCC

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Sexual Harassment Complaints Committee (SHCC) as a part of the Centre for Counselling & Support is constituted for redressal of complaints of sexual harassment.

The constitution of the SHCC is as follows:

  • Prof Sandhaya S.V, MRDG — Chairperson
  • Prof Dipshikha , MCB — Convener
  • Prof K V S Hari, ECE — Member
  • Prof Anjali Karanade, BC — Member
  • Prof N Suryaprakash , NRC — Member
  • Prof K P Ramesh, PHY — Member
  • Dr Namrata Gundaiah, ME — Member
  • Dr R Nirmala, HC — Member
  • Smt Hemalatha Mahishi, Advocate — Member

In accordance with the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s decision in the Vishaka Case, a Sexual Harassment Complaint Committee (SHCC) was constituted in April 2003. The Institute has a very clear policy based on the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court on what constitutes sexual harassment. IISc considers itself responsible for the well-being of all its students and staff. Sexual harassment of any kind constitutes an action unbecoming of a student/staff member of the Institute and will attract appropriate disciplinary action.

What is sexual harassment?

Any unwelcome sexually motivated behaviour such as :

  1. physical contact and advances;
  2. demands or requests for sexual favours,
  3. sexually coloured remarks,
  4. showing pornography,
  5. any other unwelcome physical, verbal or nonverbal (including e-mails, SMSs, etc) conduct of sexual nature.

 

Lodging a complaint.

Complaints can be made verbally, through email, or in a letter to any member of the Sexual Harassment Complaints Committee (SHCC), to the Women’s Committee, or to any member of the IISc faculty. Complaints can be made by the person facing harassment or even by a third party.

Complaint redressal.

The SHCC on receiving a complaint constitutes an enquiry committee which makes enquiries and recommends further action within a stipulated time. The SHCC then forwards this to the Director, IISc, who acts upon the recommendations. The SHCC is required to make a report of each complaint received and the action taken to the National Commission for Women within a year.

Safeguards to protect the complaint.

SHCC guarantees anonymity of complainants and all persons involved. All complaints will be handled with equal seriousness irrespective of the positions held by the persons involved. In view of the complicated nature of sexual harassment, complaints will be considered even when it is difficult or impossible to provide concrete evidence.