Factors & Insights Of Sexual Harassment Of Women At Educational Institutions
Human Resource Management Project Report

Factors & Insights Of Sexual Harassment Of Women At Educational Institutions
Human Resource Management Project Report

its objective to increase the speed and accuracy of problem-
Table Of Contents 1. Introduction---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2 2. Motivation-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3 3. Literature Review--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3 a) Sexual harassment against women at educational institutions----------------------------3 b) Article: Sexual harassment at workplace and in educational institutions: case study of District Srinagar----------------------------------------------------------------5 c) Research study on the nature, extent and impact of sexual harassment of women at Maharashtra-----------------------------------------------------------------------------7 4. Methodology---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9 a) Factors taken for the survey---------------------------------------------------------------------10 b) Interview questionnaire design------------------------------------------------------------------10 5. Results----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------11 6. Conclusion-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------14 7. Recommendations-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------15 8. References-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------15

1. Introduction
Sexual harassment in educational institutions in India has been in high rise nowadays. Harassment is any improper conduct that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation to other person. The usual power structures and dynamics of sexual harassment that are seen at all other workplaces also manifest themselves in educational institutions.
Over the past few years, the issue of women’s safety has become a prime focus of public attention and concern in India.
It involves the means of treating others unequally on the basis of gender in work-related or academic duties or programs and not providing female students with the same academic opportunities as male students or vice versa; this is also applicable to same sex harassment (male /male, female/female).The nature and kind of sexual harassment is difficult to determined as there are no clear statistics on the number of reported cases in India, primarily because of the low reporting of such crimes. The perception of society towards sexual entities is connected with social stigma in the society. However, reports say abuses are disturbingly common, government responses are falling short in protecting children and in treating victims.
While the government in 2012 passed a comprehensive law to protect children from sexual offences, its efforts to implement the law remained poor or nonexistent, activists say. While child abuse is a problem elsewhere, in India it is further aggravated by poorly trained police officers who refuse to register complaints or encourage the victims to seek a settlement. There were 14 sexual abuse cases and 42 cases on Navodhaya vidhyalaya and Kendriya vidhyalaya schools respectively. In higher educational institutions, an increasing number of cases is coming to light where research scholars are being subjected to victimization, violence and sexual abuse by professors, essentially by male professors. While India is still evolving from its patriarchal mindset, this signals a rapidly deteriorating social system bereft of values. Creating safe havens for PhD students to eliminate exploitation by professors and to ensure students are not forced to become victims of sexual abuse to earn their degrees remains integral to the education system.
Many professional institutes do not have active committees to check sexual harassment where serious questions can be raised. There is a need for bringing reforms in the law and awareness is needed with self declaration by candidates.

2. Motivation
We have known our challenges, heard about them and talked about them for years, what has stopped us from meeting such challenges is not sound policy and sensible planning, but our chronic avoidance of confronting such people and intellectual indifference to protect others. Taking into account the alarming rate of unreported sexual harassment cases and to bring awareness in a larger sphere this report brings in the first hand insights about harassment from the female student view point.
This report also stretches to define parameters and factors that are more prevalent to sexual harassment and the extent each have an impact on the way it is believed to be understood.

3. Literature Review
This section is primarily done to give an insight of examples, perception and nature of sexual harassment in the Indian context.

3.1 Sexual Harassment against Women at Educational Institutions
Author-M. Reena , Dr. Onnur Saheab, Research Scholars (Social Work), Department of Population Studies, S.V. University, Tirupati.
The research paper states that harassment is any improper and unwelcome conduct that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation to another person. Sexual harassment generally takes place when there is power or authority difference among persons involved (Student/Teacher, Junior Teacher/Senior Teacher).
The paper actually defined and stated the types and examples of sexual harassment:
Sexual Harassment Definition:
Unwanted sexual advances or unwelcome requests for sexual favors and other type of behavior of a sexual nature where there is a submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment.
Sexual Harassment: Types & Definition (Actual reported cases)
By Teacher * Male Teacher asked the Female student, if you want "A” grade, you need to take your final exam at my home. * Male HOD deliberately touching or hitting the body of female employee by file or pen/pencil. * Male Teacher’s referring to female bodies and reproductive cycles to embarrass female students during class lectures. * Various complaints recorded of staring at female students especially at their bodies
By Students * Female student dressing or behaving provocatively while in a meeting or in the presence of the male faculty or supervisor in a one-to-one situation. * Students sending in written notes, letters, emails with requests for intimacy- in exchange for grades. * Dressing culturally inappropriately to emphasize body parts (both males/females).
By Employees * Using vulgar language to address females (student, faculty and other employees). * To touch their intimate parts in the presence of women. * Administrative Staff asking the female students to pay them for providing the students for their documents in time.
The paper reveals that violence against women is experienced by women of all ages and social classes, all races, religions and nationalities, all over the world. Violence against women is a manifestation of the historically unequal power relations between men and women, which have led to domination over and discrimination against women by men and to the prevention of women's full advancement.
The research paper demonstrated some of the key elements in the sexual harassment laws in the educational setting. The recommendations as the law should be framed in such a way that
1. Prohibit harassment by teachers, staff, and fellow students, keeping in mind the age of alleged student perpetrators.
2. Prohibit harassment of admitted students as well as those students seeking admission to educational institutions.
3. Reflect a zero-tolerance policy for sexual relationships between teachers and students.
4. Require that all educational institutions, both public and private, have sexual harassment prevention policies.
The paper states that all women are vulnerable to this type of violence irrespective of their occupational status, marital status, educational or economic status. But, it can also be concluded that high socio-economic or educational status does not necessarily protect a woman from sexual harassment. It is clear that sexual harassment is one of the most endemic forms of violence against women and girls today. Despite widespread prohibition around the world, unwanted sexual attention is an unavoidable condition of work and education for a significant number of women and girls. The types of behaviors that constitute it and the type and severity of harm that result from it vary by region, occupation, and discipline thus age, demographics and gender remain an important factor in sexual harassment.

3.2 Article: Sexual harassment at workplace and in educational institutions: case study of District Srinagar
Author: Chesfeeda Akhtar, Department of Sociology, University of Kashmir
The article actually starts with an eye-catching statement: Women were sexually harassed long before there was a term for it.
This case study states that violence against women is experienced by women of all ages and social classes, all races, religions and nationalities, all over the world. Considerable variation exists in the estimated proportions of women reporting experiences with sexual harassment.
They conducted a research and depending on the sample used, 16 to 90% of working women experience sexual harassment in their lifetime. The study of this research work was conducted in the District Srinagar of Kashmir Province in J & K State.
Below given the table actually shows the figures of crime against women in Kashmir Zone.(Reported in Police Station) The above data & figures were collected from the police station. They then conducted a research with the following age groups. The research was that 34% of the sample that was selected from the university students were most vulnerable to this type of violence, 33% were selected from those in non-gazette jobs and another 33% were selected from those in gazette jobs. 21% of the respondents reported of suffering sexual harassment at workplace as well as educational institutions among those whom 34.9% were from university students.
52% of these abused women were unmarried and 48% were married, and all these women were having high educational qualifications and they belonged to upper middle class and middle class. Regarding the age of these abused women 31.7% of them belonged to (20 to 30) year’s age group, 52.5% belonged to (30 to 40) year’s age group and 15.8% belonged to above 40 years age group. The above figures reveal that all women are vulnerable to this type of violence irrespective of their occupational status, marital status, educational or economic status. Further, it can also be concluded that high socio-economic or educational status does not protect a woman from sexual harassment.
Regarding the types of sexual harassment these women suffered the following table actually demonstrates the same:

This actually demonstrates the age, gender being the important factors in sexual harassment. They investigated how individual factors (age, gender, gender role, past experiences of sexual harassment) and organizational factors (gender ratio, sexual harassment policies, the role of employers) related to attitudes and perceptions of sexual harassment.

3.3 Research study on the nature, extent and impact of sexual harassment of women at Maharashtra, submitted to department of women & child development, MHRD, Government Of India.
Author-Yugantar Education Society, Nagpur.
There was a study that was conducted in the Maharashtra with a sample size of 600 working women employed in organized and unorganized sectors of employment in the State of Maharashtra. Out of the 600 working women, it was covered that, about 77 per cent was found in the age group of 23-43 years. Nearly 39 per cent of them were from organized sector and about 38 per cent from unorganized sector. Similarly, about 39 per cent were from rural areas so as to maintain the diversity of the group.
From the educational view point, about 20 per cent of the working women were found to be illiterate, and about 18 percent had education up to primary level, and around 6 per cent could reach the middle school level, while nearly 14 per cent were educated up to S.S.C. level and 12 per cent up to H.S.S.C. level. Only about 19 per cent of the working women were graduates and about 9 per cent were having post-graduate qualifications.
Carrying out the background status, exactly 75 per cent of the working women were from depressed and backward communities and only 25 per cent belonged to advanced communities. In the depressed and backward communities the share of S.C.s was 28 per cent S.T.s 13 per cent and O.B.C.s were28 per cent. Majority of the working women were Hindus (67%) by religion, 17 per cent were Buddhist and 10 per cent Muslims, and Christians and Jains were 3 per cent each.
When the whole demographic as well as the background of the women were known, the research was conducted to find out the nature, incidence and impact of the sexual harassment of women.
From the research they got that, only about 62 per cent of the working women felt safe and secured at work place. Majority of the respondents or women had limited perception of sexual harassment at work place. Of about 66 per cent perceived it as physical contact and advances of sexual nature and about 58 per cent as request or demand for sexual favors. Sexually colored remarks was the perception of sexual harassment stated by 44 per cent of the respondents. A large number of respondents were not aware of indirect behavior of sexual nature i.e. body language.
From this it was evident that perception and awareness are important factors of sexual harassment of women.
Out of the 600 working women covered by the study 224 (about 37 per cent) were the victims of sexual harassment at work place. It was 20 per cent in urban areas and 17 per cent in rural areas.
So the demographic profile is a front runner when it comes to the sexual harassment at the workplace.
Further detailed analysis of these 224 victims of sexual harassment of women disclosed that about 94% of them were in the age range of 18 to 38 years as against to the 67% in the case of those who were above the 38 years in age. The general notion was that illiterate women and women with lower educational background were at a higher risk of sexual harassment at work place as compared with those with higher educational status was negated by the finding of this study. Out of 224 victims about 71% were highly educated and 29% were either illiterate or educated up to primary level only. Similarly, it was also disclosed that the incidence of sexual harassment was comparatively more in married women as compared to unmarried, widows and divorced women, because out of 224 victims about 58% were married, about 17% unmarried and remaining 25% were either widows or divorces or separated.
From the above study it was evident that women’s educational background and age do play a vital role in the incident of the sexual harassment.
The initial sexual behavior of the perpetrators was identified as verbal as well as non-verbal conduct of sexual nature (about 12%), body language (9%), and attempt of physical contact (9%). Sexually colored remarks (4%), demand or request for sexual favors (2%) and showing pornography (2%) were the various types or forms of sexual harassment of these women.
Based on the findings of the research study there were important factors drawn:
1. Married women are dominating in the field of employment both in organized and unorganized sectors as well as in urban and rural areas. (Marital Status)
2. About one-fifth of the working women were illiterate and they were equitably distributed in organized and unorganized sectors of employment. (Educational Background)
3. A very large majority of respondents had a very narrows perception of sexual harassment i.e. sexual assault.
4. The general notion that illiterate women have a higher risk of sexual harassment at work place as compared with women with higher educational achievements is negated by the findings of this study as even highly educated women were also harassed sexually at work place in sufficiently large numbers.
5.Sexual harassment was more prevalent in the lower age group as compared to higher age group of women (greater than 38).(Age)
These were some of the important factors driving the sexual harassment of women at work place.

4. Methodology
From the secondary data collected, there has been a crisp understanding of the problem that definition of interpretation of sexual harassment is different for different individuals. However taking into consideration the diversity of the population and the diverse culture system in India the causes and interpretations of sexual harassment has been varied.

We are proceeding on a qualitative analysis with the following steps
1. Identification of Factors
2. Frame Interview questions depending on the factors
3. Informal one to one interviews with the respondents
4. Results
5. Conclusion

4.1 Factors taken for the survey
As for research findings from the literature review and the secondary findings we have identified important factors that have contributed towards sexual harassment in the educational institutions. The factors are divided into Individual factors and Institutional factors. Perception and Demographics are regarded as the important individual factors and environmental factors are looked through as a separate category.

4.2 Interview Design
The Interview consists questions on the following parameters 1. Demographics 2. Definition of Sexual Harassment 3. Experience 4. Awareness 5. Perception 6. Environmental Factors

These questions are incorporated in the questionnaire and anonymous informal interaction is done on one to one basis for 10 girl students across different colleges

The demographics of students range are as mentioned below
Age:-22-25
Cities :- Delhi, Rohtak, Kolkatta, Faridabad, Rudrapur, Aligarh(U.P)
Family type- 4 (40%) Conservative, 5 Liberal
Number of respondents having previous work experience: - 5 (50%)

5. Results

Most of the definitions have defined sexual harassment as both verbal and physical in nature. Some of the statements regarding the definition of sexual harassment given by respondents are as follows:-
“According to me any behavior sexual in nature that makes the other person uncomfortable is sexual harassment, whether it be physical or verbal”
“Comments/gestures/physical contact that makes a person uncomfortable” “Any unwanted and unwelcome sexual remarks or physical actions that makes a person uncomfortable.”
“When anyone is mentally/sexually tortured because of their sex. Generally will include verbal and physical harassment. “
6 out of 10 respondents reported that they don’t have any personal experience with sexual harassment but 7 out of 10 have reported they know their friends who are victims of sexual harassment.
These results also illustrate the fact that though 4 of 10 of them are abused or harassed the respondents are not willing to reveal it due to the social stigma prevalent in the country 9 out of 10 respondents dint feel surprised to know that most of all college students have personal experience with sexual harassment and to know that small portion of all incidents of sexual harassment on college campuses are reported to university authorities and most of the incidents turn to be unreported
8 out of 10 are aware of that there is a HRM policy in their respective campuses and 9 out of 10 have come forward to provide help to victim through chats and helplines.
The rating of the following factors which may have an impact on sexual harassment on a likert scale of 1-10 (1 being the least and 10 being the highest) is mentioned below:
Dress code of the student in hostel Area- All the respondents have reported a score more than 7
Dress code of the student in Academic Area- All the respondents have reported a score more than 6
The extent of movement with Male students (More talkative and Friendly)- 6 of 10 respondents have responded a score below 5
Attending Parties and visiting men hostels frequently- 9 out of 10 respondents have responded a score above 8
2 out of 10 respondents dint support the above being the cause(s) at all.
They believed that it is the mindset that needs to be changed. Not pointing fingers, the environment one has grown up in is one of the prominent influences adds to harass another. To add, they feel the patriarchal society doesn’t help, women are objectified from homes to advertising world, not stopping even in the corporate world.
Ranking of the Institutional Parameters the respondents are most important which are susceptible to sexual harassment are mentioned below
8 out of 10 respondents replied Climate of the institution as the predominant factor which has an effect on the rise on the cases.9 out of 10 replied that dearth of implementation of sexual harassment policies as the second most important factor.
5 out of 10 have responded there is equal probability of role of student bodies and gender ratio as the least factors that contribute compared with the other factors

5.1 Transcript of incidents as narrated by the respondents
1- Being stared upon lecherously while travelling in metro-rail Delhi.
"A guy was continuously gazing at me while I was travelling in Delhi metro to college with my friends. I felt helpless but confront the person and thereafter my friends joined in. That man apologized and I felt good. But it is not always the case."
2- Sexual harassment and Beer bottles.
"Parties have really bad scenes. People get drunk there and start behaving inappropriately with women on the dance floor. While partying with friends at a club l, a random guy started harassing my friend. Her boyfriend broke a bottle of beer on his hand and a huge scene was created."
3- Female teacher and calling in cabin.
"During school, we had this female teacher who used to pass double meaning comments after calling male students in her cabin. To the best end, she was terminated from the school after the parents of one kids got to know about the whole incident."
4-Was sexually harassed on the third day of college.
"I belong to south India and went to Delhi University for my under-graduation. While travelling in the bus on the third day to college, I was touched and groped inappropriately and in a sexual manner. I felt a feeling of helplessness and anger. Being new and very young I could not do anything but to face it."
5-Gardener in the College.
"In Delhi University, we have this gardener who used to make sexual gestures and flash his parts in front of girls. However just let it go and ignored it".
6-Relationship of a History professor and his student.
"Our history professor was dating a girl from the class. But post breakup, the professor used to pass embarrassing remarks about their personal life in the class. But nobody took any action and the girl passed the college."
7-Boss and bad appraisal.
"Manager rated the junior female colleague low on the project appraisal. Not sure whether it was justified or not. The junior colleague asked the manager to upgrade her ratings. The manager asked her to take him for a beer. The junior reported this incident under sexual harassment and the manager was fired within days."
8-Unwelcome sexual advances during college parties.
"Such type of behavior is very common in colleges especially when there is alcohol and cigarettes. Guys assume the consent of girls and move forward. There is a huge difference between such type of behavior and genuine interest in a girl and a man needs to understand it."

6. Conclusion
From the results of the interviews we have can conclude that the contribution of factors identified from the primary data analysis is significantly in correlation with the secondary data from the research articles
From the Individual factors the definition of sexual harassment is highly related to their family type and their individual perception and the nature of their personality.
Under the Individual factors the following are the most related to sexual harassment of the respondents * Demographics * Past Experiences of Sexual Harassment * Awareness * Perception 1. Dress code 2. Nature of movement with male students 3. Attending parties and visiting men hostels

From the Institutional factors the environment, reporting authorities and policy implementation are considered more important. However the following also have a role in determining sexual harassment in institutions

* Sexual Harassment Policies * Role of Student bodies in reporting to the higher authorities * Climate of the Institution-Past cases * Gender Ratio

7. Recommendations
As a recommendation the following are suggested 1. At the institutional level, the institution should be “one-stop” solution for the victim. The institution should provide legal as well as mental support to the victim and provide best help to overcome from the tragic effect of such incidents. The institution should have legal and psychological counsellor, non-disclosure agreements, not a lengthy process. Seminars and guest lecture to create awareness about sexual harassment, rights available with victim and responsibilities of other people associated with victim. 2. At the Individual level, the change needs to be brought at the school level. While we study Maths, Science there is a need to incorporate and inculcate gender sensitized thought process through inclusion of new chapters and awareness sessions on sexual harassment. This is when our education adds value and can establish a open mind with a good thought process in each individual

References
Jaskiran Bedi,Cambridge- “Sexual Harassment In Universities: It Exists But Is Ignored “
M.Reena,Dr.Onnur Saheab ,Sexual Harassment against women at educational Institutions,International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN (Online): 2319-7064
Anju Thomas, Incidents of sexual harassment at educational institutions in india: preventive measures and grievance handling,International Journal of Recent Advances in Multidisciplinary Research,Vol. 02, Issue 03, pp.0317-0322, March, 2015
News article on dailyo.com,dt:-06-01-2016,“How sexual harassment is turning India's higher education into hell” http://academicjournals.org/article/article1381918267_Akhtar.pdf http://medind.nic.in/jal/t14/i4/jalt14i4p421.pdf http://www.ijsr.net/archive/v3i12/U1VCMTQ1ODI%3D.pdf APPENDIX

Questionnaire Design
Demographics
College:-
Age:-
Hometown:-
Workplace (If Any):-
Previous Education and University:-
Type of Family- Conservative or Liberal -

What do you think is the definition of Sexual Harassment?

In extension to the previous question, do you feel sexual harassment is verbal, physical or both?

Have you personally experienced any form of sexual harassment (by your own definition) while attending college? Yes No Unsure Have you personally known someone who has experienced some form of sexual harassment while attending college? Yes
If Yes,
Please specify their demographics and nature of the student and the Impact it had on your perception of the climate of the institution No Unsure If you answered yes to either of the above questions, did you, or the person you know, seek to report the incident? Yes, and the resolution was to my/their satisfaction Yes, but the resolution was not to my/their satisfaction Yes, but nothing happened No, I/They didn't want to report it No, I/They didn't know who to talk to Not Applicable
If you know of multiple incidents, please specify the action taken for each
If you ever found yourself the victim of sexual harassment, would you know who to speak to on campus as far as reporting the incident? Yes, and I would report it Yes, but I wouldn't report it No, I wouldn't know -- but I'd try to find out No, I wouldn't know -- and I wouldn't try to find out
If you would not report it, please specify why

Would it surprise you to know that most of all college students have personal experience with sexual harassment? Yes No

Given the previous question, would it surprise you to know that few of all incidents of sexual harassment on college campuses are reported to university authorities and most of the incidents turn to be unreported? Yes No

Would you be interested in (hypothetically) supporting an Insitution dedicated to raising awareness about this issue and supporting the victims of sexual harassment on college campuses? Yes No
If yes, what services would you suggest be provided?

Are you aware of the sexual Harassment policy available in your college? Yes No

What type of support would you be interested in/willing to your institution? Donation Volunteer hours - passing out flyers, brochures, etc. Direct support for victims - Help lines, Online Chat-Support, Sitting with someone while they report the incident None
Other (please specify)

How do you rate from your view point the following factors which may have an impact on sexual Harassment(On a scale of 1-10)
Dress code of the student in hostel Area-
Dress code of the student in Academic Area-
The extent of movement with Male students (More talkative and Friendly)-
Attending Parties and visiting men hostels frequently-
Other (please specify)

Rank the Institutional Parameters you think are most important which are susceptible to sexual harassment. Rank from 1-4

Gender Ratio
Sexual Harassment Policies
Role of Students
Climate of the Institution

Other comments regarding your experiences with sexual harassment, the process of reporting the incident, or the prospect of an Institution dedicated to raising awareness and supporting victims