Safe havens no more, Pg6

Key Highlights:

• A 20-year-old B.Ed student in Balasore, Odisha, died from burn injuries after her complaints of sexual harassment were ignored.
• The accused, a senior teacher, and the college principal were arrested after the incident.
• She had approached multiple authorities, including the Chief Minister’s office, but was denied redress.
• The Odisha government ordered formation of Internal Complaint Committees (ICCs) in all colleges within 24 hours of the incident.
• Recent incidents across West Bengal, Karnataka, and Delhi show an alarming pattern of sexual violence in schools and colleges.
• Stringent laws exist post-Nirbhaya (2012), but their implementation remains poor.
• NCRB data (2022) reports 4.45 lakh cases of crimes against women, a 4% increase over 2021.

Detailed Insights:

• Workplaces and campuses, often regarded as safe havens, are now emerging as hotspots for gender-based violence.
• In West Bengal, a law student was gang-raped on campus; in Mangaluru, two lecturers were arrested for allegedly raping a student.
• In Delhi, a nine-year-old girl was raped and murdered, raising concerns about urban law enforcement.
• The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013, mandates the formation of Internal Complaint Committees, yet compliance is weak.
• The Odisha case highlights systemic apathy, administrative failure, and the breakdown of accountability mechanisms.
• Crime against women remains underreported, especially in institutions where power asymmetry deters victims from speaking up.
• Conversation on sexual violence must begin early in educational curricula and public discourse.
• Justice movements must be sustained, not just temporary reactions to viral news.
• The role of institutional bias, victim shaming, and societal silence continues to perpetuate impunity for perpetrators.

Way Forward:

• Strict monitoring and penal action against non-compliance with Internal Complaint Committee norms.
• Implement gender-sensitisation programs in all institutions.
• Create independent grievance redressal platforms, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.
• Fast-track courts should handle cases of workplace sexual harassment and student-related gender crimes.
• Enhance legal awareness among students and staff about rights and complaint procedures.
• Mental health and legal aid support must be institutionalised for victims of sexual violence.