Sexual Violence: A Global Pandemic /2nd- 8th September
Sexual Violence: A Global Pandemic
Written by Nikunj Morarka
Policy and Legal Team
Sexual violence is a global pandemic. One in three women experience sexual or physical violence – most likely from their intimate partner, according to a report from the World Health Organization. There is an urgent need to increase sensitisation regarding sexual violence and the awareness of consent and sexual violence amongst persons at large. In this series, we examine sexual violence and related issues that have come up in the news, on a weekly basis, published every Saturday. This is an attempt to improve awareness regarding incidents of sexual violence and related matters, so that we, as a society can take steps towards collective action to reduce its incidence. It is an effort to ensure that we acknowledge the rampant sexual violence that exists, lest we forget.
This issue looks at news from the 2nd to 8th September, 2017.
Sexual Harassment complaints in top companies rise
India’s top companies by market valuation have reported a 10.3% rise in sexual harassment complaints filed by women for the year till March 2017. Information technology firms and banks topped the list with WIpro and ICICI Bank taking the top two spots. An increase in complaints may in fact be a positive development indicating that women are more willing to report harassment but still the numbers are far too low and it’s almost impossible to believe that they represent realistic sexual harassment incidents.
Tarun Tejpal will be tried on rape charges
Tarun Tejpal who is the founding editor of Tehelka magazine will be tried on charges of raping and sexually harassing a junior colleague; the trial will begin on the 28th of September. He was accused by his colleague of sexually assaulting her in an elevator of a five-star hotel during the magazine’s festival in Goa in November, 2016. If found guilty he can be sentenced to up to 10 years of imprisonment.
University lecturer fired for sexual harassment
A lecturer for the Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) was fired by the University after he wrote an apology to the girl who had alleged sexual harassment by him, the enquiry was closed following the apology this Wednesday. Some students claim that the University wants to bury the issue and want the University to file a police complaint.
VR Company settles sexual Harassment lawsuit
Upload VR, a San Francisco based VR company has settled a sexual harassment and wrongful termination lawsuit which was brought by its former employee Elizabeth Scott in May. The suit claimed that female colleagues were treated like “second class citizens” in conversations and that a manager would repeatedly make comments about Elizabeth’s body. It also claimed that employees talked about a certain employee’s sexual exploits. The suit also covered wage discrimination against the women in the company.
Fox Business host returns after sexual harassment investigation
Charles Payne, who hosted a nightly show on Fox Business and was suspended on the 6th of July after allegations of sexual harassment by him surfaced, is now returning to his regular show after Fox News finished its investigation into the allegations and didn’t find any wrongdoing on his part. Fox has been under a cloud after its CEO Roger Ailes and lead host Bill O’Reilly resigned due to Sexual Harassment allegations.
Connect with us?
In case you like this new series, hate it, or think there are stories that we should be covering but have missed out on, please email us at [email protected]. We look forward to your inputs and feedback!
