Now Male Students Can Also File Complaint If They Are Sexually Harassed: UGC

When it comes to sexual harassment against men in India, there’s barely any law regarding it. However, the fact is that males also face sexual abuse but unfortunately, legally their voices are not heard. To do away with such inequality, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has introduced a provision for male students to be able to file cases of sexual harassment.

UGC Regulations (Prevention, Prohibition And Redressal Of Sexual Harassment Of Women Employees And Students In Higher Educational Institutions) notified that sexual harassment is gender-neutral and male students are also victims of it, apart from women and transgenders, reported The Telegraph.

The decision has been taken after several reports of sexual harassment of male students. In 2007, a sexual harassment complaint was filed by two male students against a senior teacher of Ramjas College under Delhi University.

Internal committees will be set up to review any such complaints. All complaints will be reviewed within 90 days and action will be taken within 30 days. Anyone from the victim’s friends, relatives, colleagues, co-students, psychologists or any other associate can lodge a complaint.

Colleges failing to execute this regulation will face action. Any student found guilty of sexual harassment can face rustication while an employee or teacher will have to face action according to service rules. A Penalty will be imposed for registering a false complaint.

The Logical Indian welcomes this decision by UGC. This step will strike an equality on cases of sexual harassment in the country. Sexual harassment can happen to anyone of any age or any gender.