GUJ decides to forward complaints of sexual harassment to Govt

GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 12 September 2015 23:08 IST

The Goa Union of Journalists has decided to gather information and forward complaints regarding sexual harassment of women employees in the media organisations to the government-constituted District Complaints Committee.

An extra-ordinary general body meeting, called today to discuss the issue of ongoing sexual harassment cases, decided to set up a committee to facilitate complaints into these sexual harassment cases.

The GUJ has also appealed to the victims, if any, to approach Goa’s premier body of journalists, with an assurance that their identity would be protected and  the victims would have the backing of the entire journalists fraternity. 

The meeting was called following reports of sexual harassment cases in the media organisations, posted through social media.

GUJ had earlier taken cognisance of the reports and had acted by setting up a Women’s Cell as well urging all the media organisations to set up internal complains committees to prevent sexual harassment of women employees.

In addition, the GUJ general body today decided to set up a committee, which would offer a platform “for several others to help victims come forward in confidence and without fear against the crime or any harassment faced by women journalists in Goa.”

The five-member committee, headed by GUJ president Sadguru Patil, would consist of senior media women journalists, prominent NGO, legal expert and a professional counsellor.

“The committee has also been authorised to call for evidence and forward the same to the District Complaints Committee (as constituted for cases of sexual harassment at the work place) for further investigation,” stated a press note.

Under the provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, the state government has to form a district complaints committee while each organisation has to form an internal complaints committee.

GUJ has also decided to write official complaint to Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore regarding local media organisations not setting up internal complaints committees, if they don’t form it.

The GUJ has already written to all the media houses, urging them to set up these committees, for the safety of journalist and non-journalist women staffers.


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