Internal Complaint Committees (ICCs) in colleges are established to address complaints of sexual harassment, as mandated by the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. These committees ensure a safe and respectful environment for all students and employees by preventing and addressing incidents of sexual harassment. ICCs are responsible for creating awareness, conducting inquiries, and providing redressal mechanisms for complaints. 

 

Key aspects of ICC guidelines in colleges:

  • Mandatory Constitution:

Colleges with 10 or more employees are required to constitute an ICC. 

 Composition:

The ICC must have at least four members, with the Presiding Officer being a woman employee at a senior level, and a majority of the members being women. 

 External Member:

An external member, often a lawyer or social worker with experience in gender issues, may be included in the ICC. 

 Duties and Responsibilities:

Prevention: Organize awareness programs, workshops, and sensitization programs on sexual harassment and gender sensitivity. 

 Redressal: Provide a confidential and accessible mechanism for filing and addressing complaints. 

 Inquiry: Conduct inquiries into complaints of sexual harassment in a fair and time-bound manner, following the procedures outlined in the Act. 

 Support: Offer support and assistance to the complainant, including counseling and legal aid if necessary. 

 Reporting: Submit annual reports to the relevant authorities detailing the number of complaints, inquiries, and actions taken. 

 

 Complaint Mechanism:

Filing: Complaints can be filed by any aggrieved woman (student or employee) who has experienced sexual harassment. 

 Time Limit: Complaints should ideally be filed within three months of the incident, but the ICC may consider delays in extraordinary circumstances. 

 Preliminary Inquiry: The ICC conducts a preliminary inquiry to assess the validity of the complaint and determine if further investigation is needed. 

 Enquiry: If the complaint is found to have merit, the ICC forms an inquiry committee to investigate the matter thoroughly. 

 Conciliation: The ICC may attempt conciliation between the complainant and the respondent if appropriate, but this should not undermine the complainant’s rights. 

 Action: The ICC makes recommendations for action based on the findings of the inquiry, which may include disciplinary action against the respondent, counseling, or other appropriate measures. 

 

Confidentiality:

The ICC is bound to maintain confidentiality throughout the complaint process. 

 

Importance of ICC:

Safe Environment:

ICCs play a vital role in creating a safe and respectful environment for women in colleges, free from sexual harassment. 

 Accountability:

They ensure that perpetrators of sexual harassment are held accountable for their actions. 

 Justice:

ICCs provide a mechanism for redressal of grievances and ensuring justice for victims of sexual harassment. 

 Awareness:

They help to raise awareness about sexual harassment and gender-based violence among students and staff.