“Internal Complaints Committee” (ICC) is constituted in higher education institutions under sub-regulation (1) of regulations of University Grants Commission of India in Gazette Notification Dated 2nd May 2016 for Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal of sexual harassment of women employees and students in higher educational institutions, Regulations 2015. Any existing body already functioning with the same objective (like the Gender Sensitization Committee Against Sexual Harassment (GSCASH)) is reconstituted as the ICC.
Internal Complaints Cell
The Internal Complaints Cell of CCDTE serves as a critical mechanism for addressing grievances related to discrimination and other forms of misconduct within the academic community. Specifically focusing on the well-being and safety of women staff, the ICC plays a pivotal role in creating a conducive work environment that fosters dignity, respect, and equality.
Objectives of the ICC
- Ensuring a Safe and Supportive Environment: The ICC creates an environment where women staff feel safe and supported to raise concerns without fear of reprisal.
- Promoting Gender Equality: The ICC addresses systemic issues that disproportionately affect women in academia, tackles gender bias, and supports the advancement of women in their careers.
- Facilitating Fair and Transparent Processes: The ICC upholds fairness and transparency in its processes for investigating complaints, providing clear guidelines and impartial investigations.
Vision of the ICC
- Zero Tolerance for Harassment and Discrimination: The ICC envisions a community where harassment and discrimination are not tolerated in any form.
- Empowering Women Staff: The ICC provides support, counseling, legal assistance, and mentorship programs for professional development.
- Building Awareness and Prevention: The ICC raises awareness through education and training programs, promoting prevention strategies and bystander intervention techniques.
Leadership of the ICC
- Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: ICC leadership is diverse and inclusive, dedicated to promoting gender equality.
- Expertise in Conflict Resolution: ICC leaders possess expertise in conflict resolution, mediation, and legal procedures.
- Accessibility and Accountability: ICC leadership is accessible and accountable, responsive to concerns and committed to meaningful change.
Responsibilities of Internal Complaints Committee (ICC)
- Provide assistance if an employee or a student chooses to file a complaint with the police.
- Provide mechanisms of dispute redressal and dialogue to anticipate and address issues through just and fair conciliation without undermining the complainant’s rights.
- Protect the safety of the complainant by not divulging the person’s identity, and provide mandatory relief as required during the pendency of the complaint.
- Ensure that victims or witnesses are not victimized or discriminated against while dealing with complaints of sexual harassment.
- Ensure prohibition of retaliation or adverse action against a covered individual because the employee or the student is engaged in protected activity.
Regular meetings are conducted along with meeting on any complaint received.
