(a) whether the Government proposes to set up any court/tribunal for tackling the problem relating to sexual harassment of women in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the time by which it is likely to be set up; and
(c) if not, the reaction of the Government thereto?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI KRISHANA RAJ)
(a) & (b) Ministry of Home Affairs has informed that there is no proposal to set up any court/tribunal for tackling the problem relating to sexual harassment of women in the country.
(c) Safety of women in the country is of utmost priority for the Government. The Government is endeavouring to put in place effective mechanism to provide safe environment for women. The Criminal Law (Amendment), Act 2013 has been enacted making the punishment more stringent for offences like rape. Provision for increased penalty for gang rape and causing serious injury to the victim resulting her to remain in a vegetative state have been made. New offences like acid attack, sexual harassment, voyeurism and stalking, disrobing a woman have been incorporated in the Indian Penal Code. Certain changes have also been introduced in the Code of Criminal Procedure (Cr.PC) and the Indian Evidence Act, like the recording of statement of the victim of rape and sexual assault by a woman police officer and provisions to ensure that the victims ( below the age of eighteen) is not confronted by the accused at the time of trial. Government has also enacted the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 to provide a safe and secure environment to women at the workplace.
Apart from the above, Ministry of Women and Child Development is also implementing scheme of One Stop Centre to provide integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence including sexual harassment and scheme for Universalisation of Women Helpline intended to provide 24 hours immediate and emergency response to women affected by violence including sexual harassment.
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