Internal Complaints Committee

As directed by the Kerala University of Health Sciences, Thrissur, the Internal Complaints Committee is constituted as given below, based on the UGC (Prevention, prohibition and redressal of sexual harassment of Women Employees and students in higher educational institutions) Regulations, 2015

Functions

·        To committee aims to evolve a safe environment that is free of sexual harassment and other acts of gender based violence in the institution.

·        The committee shall also ensure to promote a social and psychological environment that will raise awareness about sexual harassment in its various forms.

·        To promote behaviors that creates an atmosphere that ensures gender equality and equal opportunities.

Responsibilities of Internal Complaints Committee (ICC)

The Internal Complaints Committee shall:

·        provide assistance if an employee or a student chooses to file a complaint with the police; 16 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [P ART III—S EC . 4]

·        provide mechanisms of dispute redressal and dialogue to anticipate and address issues through just and fair conciliation without undermining complainant’s rights, and minimize the need for purely punitive approaches that lead to further resentment, alienation or violence;

·        protect the safety of the complainant by not divulging the person’s identity, and provide the mandatory relief by way of sanctioned leave or relaxation of attendance requirement or transfer to another department or supervisor as required during the pendency of the complaint, or also provide for the transfer of the offender;

·        ensure that victims or witnesses are not victimised or discriminated against while dealing with complaints of sexual harassment; and

·        ensure prohibition of retaliation or adverse action against a covered individual because the employee or the student is engaged in protected activity.