Sexual Harassment Cases on Campuses Increase by 50%: UGC Data
- The sexual harassment cases recorded across universities and colleges have increased by 50% in 2017.
- UGC has set up a task force and rules to ensure that the culprits are punished and the victims receive the help required.
According to the latest data provided by the UGC, the number of sexual harassment cases in across Universities and colleges has shot up by 50%. Union Minister of state HRD, Satya Pal Singh, sent a written reply to the Lok Sabha and mentioned that 149 sexual harassment cases have been registered at universities along with 39 at colleges across India.
These numbers were much less in 2016 and the rise in sexual harassment cases has alerted the UGC. The data was made public on the day when hundreds of JNU students marched up to the Vasant Kunj police station and asked the authorities to suspend and arrest a professor who had been accused of sexual harassment by a student.
Sexual Harassment Cases Reported at Educational Institutions in 2017:
Cases | 2017 | 2016 |
Sexual Harassment Cases at Universities | 149 | 39 |
Sexual Harassment Cases at Colleges and Institutes | 39 | 18 |
Ragging cases | 901 | 515 |
The Minister added that UGC had set up a task force on January 8, 2013, that will be controlled by Professor Meenakshi Gopinath, who is an ex-member of UGC, to review the safety and security arrangements for girls in colleges and universities.
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UGC has also notified some rules to reduce sexual harassment of students and staff. The commission has asked authorities of these institutions to take action on complaints registered by victims. UGC also added that friends, colleagues and other associated of the victim can also file complaints on the victim’s behalf.
UGC also added that the sexual harassment cases have to be filed within three months of the incident and the institution is bound to take action. The institutes will have to complete the probe within 90 days from when the complaint has been filed. If the institute fails to take action against the institute, they will have to face repercussions that may also include fund cut from the UGC.
Institutes can rusticate students who are found guilty whereas the employeer or teacher will have to face trials accordingly.
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UGC also asked institutions to organize awareness programmes against sexual harassment every year for all the students. It also notified stakeholders about the UGC Regulations 2015 for the prevention and safety of female employees.