Internal Complaints Committee
Indo-American College (IAC) is committed to ensuring a professional and respectful working and learning environment for all women, including employees, students, and guests. The Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) at IAC is constituted to maintain a harmonious atmosphere, enabling women to pursue their work and education with dignity and confidence.
The committee is responsible for investigating and recommending actions on all cases of harassment reported by female faculty, staff, or students. Additionally, the ICC actively works to raise awareness on gender equality issues across the campus.
Objective
The ICC at Indo-American College, Cheyyar, is dedicated to:
- Preventing and prohibiting incidents of sexual harassment against female students and employees within the college.
- Sensitizing all members of the college community about their fundamental rights to a safe and respectful environment.
Composition
The ICC is composed of representatives from various segments of the college community, including:
- Presiding Officer: [Name and Designation]
- Faculty Members: [Names and Departments]
- Non-Teaching Members: [Names and Positions]
- Student Members: President, Student Union; Secretary, Girls’ Common Room
- Local Members: [Names]
Scope
The ICC holds exclusive jurisdiction to receive and address complaints from female students, teaching staff, and non-teaching staff of the college. The committee provides a platform for addressing complaints related to sexual harassment in a fair and sensitive manner.
Procedure
The ICC follows a structured procedure for addressing complaints:
- The aggrieved person lodges the complaint with the college authority.
- The college authority forwards the complaint to the ICC for necessary action.
- The ICC conducts a meeting to review the complaint and decides on further steps, including conducting an inquiry.
- Based on the inquiry, the ICC recommends appropriate actions, which may include an apology, disciplinary measures, or referral to legal authorities.
Understanding Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment includes unwelcome behavior such as physical contact, demands for sexual favors, sexually colored remarks, and other verbal or non-verbal conduct of a sexual nature. The ICC is committed to creating a safe and fearless environment for reporting and addressing instances of sexual harassment.
Redressal Methods
The ICC employs the following methods for addressing complaints:
- Recording complaints in a standardized format.
- Granting interim relief to complainants.
- Ensuring confidentiality and adherence to principles of natural justice.
- Conducting fair and gender-sensitive inquiries.
- Submitting comprehensive inquiry reports with recommended actions.
Principles
The ICC adheres to the following guiding principles:
- Confidentiality: Safeguarding the identity and privacy of all parties involved.
- Non-Coercion and Interim Relief: Providing necessary support without exerting undue pressure.
- Fair Enquiry: Ensuring impartiality and due process during investigations.
- Educational and Preventive Orientation: Focusing on education, awareness, and redressal.
- Representative Committees: Ensuring balanced representation in the committee’s composition.
Activities
The ICC actively engages in initiatives aimed at preventing sexual harassment and creating awareness, including:
- Displaying information about its programs and services on notice boards.
- Organizing seminars, special talks, and competitions to promote gender sensitization.
The Internal Complaints Committee at Indo-American College is committed to fostering a culture of respect, safety, and gender equality across the campus.
Indo-American College