Karnataka - Bijapur   

Handle sexual harassment cases discreetly, police told

Staff Correspondent

`Even eve-teasing can be construed as sexual harassment'

BIJAPUR: The Superintendent of Police, Seemant Kumar Singh, has stressed the need to ensure coordination between law enforcing agencies and voluntary organisations to prevent sexual harassment of women at work place.

Few cases booked

Speaking at a workshop for police officers and members of voluntary organisations here on Monday, he said that though an Act in this regard was passed in 2003, not many cases have been reported owing to lack of awareness among working women, employers, law enforcing agencies and people.

He said sexual harassment of women does not necessarily mean rape or molestation. Even eve-teasing or making overtures can be construed as sexual harassment.

Caution advised

He called upon police officers to handle such cases discreetly. The victim should not feel that she is being humiliated by the police, he said.

The Principal Sessions and District Judge, A.S. Sangoti, said law should be implemented in its true spirit.

`Onus on accused'

The Additional Superintendent of Police, Shivanand, noted that the accused has to prove that he has not committed the crime.

T.S. Pathan and M.G. Bhrungimath, resource persons, and Peter Alexander, president of Insaaf, a voluntary organisation which cosponsored the programme, spoke on the various aspects of sexual harassment and remedies.

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