ROLE OF POLICE IN PREVENTION OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT UNDER THE SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF WOMEN AT WORKPLACE (PREVENTION, PROHIBITION & REDRESSAL) ACT OF 2013

In the year 2013, the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention,Prohibition & Redressal) Act was enacted to keep check and prevent incidents of sexual harassment at workplace. Guidelines in respect of the Act were also framed for seeking quick and effective re- dressal. For an act to take place, it is not necessary that incident takes place at place of work only, it may also occur during any of the company events, work related travels, customer’s/client’s premises or any work related electronic communication.

We know that for reporting an act, the complaint is made before Internal Complaints Committee, Local Complaints Committee or one can also file complaint via online portal of government known as She-Box or online complaint to National Commission for Women. But, one can also approach the police and file an FIR under Section 154 of Code of Criminal Procedure. The FIR will be registered as a Zero FIR in case of jurisdiction of police is not the appropriate one.

 

 

Thus, no complaint of sexual harassment can go un-addressed even if jurisdiction falls under purview of different police station. At the police station, the female victim should , no complaint of sexual harassment can look out for rescue help desk for women which will have a lady police officer. No sexual harassment complaint can be refused to be lodged by the police officer. However, in case where police officer refuses to do so, one can make complain to officer of higher rank, or District Judicial Magistrate under Section 156(3) and Section 190 of Code of Criminal Procedure. The laws relating to sexual harassment have been elaborately made and are strong enough to protect women.