Colleges Lack Functional Complaint Committee, demand for stricter ICC implementation as harassment cases rise

Despite the closure of colleges and universities due to Covid-19, the number of sexual harassment complaints is yet to see a downward trend.

In fact, over the years, reported cases of sexual harassment in higher educational institutions have been on a rise.

According to the data collected from the University Grants Commission (UGC), 104 cases of sexual harassment were reported in 2017-18 by the 384 colleges and universities that submitted the annual report on sexual harassment in their institutions. In 2018-19, as many as 79 cases of sexual harassment were reported whereas in 2019-20, it rose to 299.

While the cases in 2020-21, during the Covid-induced lockdown, came down to 103, they were still more or almost equal to when compared to the numbers of 2017-18 and 2018-19.

Reported cases, however, are just the tip of the iceberg as very few cases of sexual harassment get reported in the country.

In most colleges and universities, especially those in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, there is no Internal Complaints Committee (ICC).

An ICC is mandated by the UGC under Sexual Harassment Of Women At Workplace or PoSH Act.