Handling Harassment

Updated on: 5 February 2022 11:33 pm

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Handling Harassment

After extensive interviews with 62 women from different areas of work, activist group Saheli recently brought out its report, 'Another Occupational Hazard: Sexual Harassment and the Working Woman'. The report prescribes the following tips that might help you, or anyone you know, confront a situation of sexual harassment:

Don't blame yourself or feel guilty. The man harassing you is entirely responsible.

Don't try to ignore the problem. Harassers don't get the message easily.

Let the harasser know as directly as possible that his attentions are unwanted.

Keep a diary of events and instances. Save any note from the harasser as evidence. Try to enlist the help of any witnesses.

Be brave about talking to friends and colleagues. Generate their support for actions you want to take. Publicly exposing the harasser, even through the media, is often helpful.

If there's a trade union or employees' association, get them involved.

Make a written complaint to your senior/employer.

Remember that the Supreme Court guidelines compel them to take immediate action.

You can register an FIR with the police and pursue legal action.

Whether or not you decide on such action, you could contact a women's organisation for help and support.