A recent survey has revealed that complaints under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) Act face significant barriers due to retaliation and stigma.
The findings highlight the challenges employees encounter when reporting incidents of workplace harassment.
PoSH Complaints: Survey Findings
The survey, conducted by the Goa State Women’s Self-Help Group Association, found that 80% of participants view PoSH training as a mere compliance formality.
Many employees lack a comprehensive understanding of the Act’s scope and provisions, which hinders effective implementation.
Fear of retaliation and societal stigma are major factors preventing the resolution of many complaints.
The fear of retaliation and stigma creates a hostile environment for victims, discouraging them from coming forward with their complaints.
This underreporting is a significant issue, as it prevents the proper handling and resolution of harassment cases.
The survey underscores the need for better awareness and support mechanisms to encourage victims to report incidents without fear of backlash.
Recommendations for Improvement and SC’s Involvement
The survey recommends strengthening internal complaint committees (ICCs) to provide better support and effectiveness in handling PoSH complaints.
Regular audits and reviews of compliance measures can help improve understanding of workplace harassment and complaint redressal mechanisms.
Smaller enterprises face challenges in implementing PoSH measures due to limited resources and awareness, and the report suggests that organizations must invest in building safer workplaces.
The Supreme Court recently heard a petition seeking to strengthen the investigation mechanism for sexual harassment complaints in private workplaces.
The court had previously ordered a survey to identify organizations that have not set up ICCs.
This move aims to ensure better compliance with the PoSH Act and provide a safer working environment for women.
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