After suffering in silence for two long years, victims lodge complaint with Woman and Child Commmission
After suffering in silence for two long years, victims lodge complaint with Woman and Child Commmission
In a shocking incident, high school students of Swami Vivekananda Vidyalaya in Banashankari were sexually harassed by a language teacher for the past two years. The girlsu00a0recently filed a complaint with the state Woman and Child Commission in this regard.
Based on the information, a team of officials led by Chairperson Nina Nayak visited the school yesterday and conducted an enquiry.
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When the matter was brought to the notice of the school authorities they immediately shifted the accused teacher to a non-teaching job, till the enquiry is completed.
"We could not take strict action, as no student who has been harassed is willing to file an FIR fearing the long judicial proceedings," said a officer in the commission.
The commission received a letter few days ago alleging that Rathod, au00a0 Hindi teacher with the school, has been sexually harassing female students.
Nayak said, "After we received the complaint, we visited the school today and took feedback from the girl students.
The girls said that Rathod used to ask them to stay back after school hours, touch them inappropriately, pass remarks, and fall at them finding any chance.
The students said that this was happening for the past two years and they didn't inform their parents because of humiliation."
Mamtha, a member of the commission, said, "A Std VIII student said that she had asked the teacher not to touch her. But Rathod beat her up and left her knuckles injured and also gave her poor marks. After this even the girl kept quiet as she could hardly do anything."
The commission has recorded statements, and an investigation is on. However, Shankar, the school principal, was surprised that he had never come across any such complaints. Another lady teacher, who did not want to be named, said that some of the girls had indicated it, but they didn't know the matter was so serious.
Meanwhile, Mamtha said that there is no law which defines sexual abuse. She added, "We are looking at legal issues and at the most we can summon the teacher.u00a0
As per the law, unless a student comes forward and registers an FIR, it cannot be taken further. But once a case is registered, the victim has to share the experience with the police, judiciary, which would continue for a long time, and that is why they avoid coming forward."
She added, "The most we can do is to relocate the teacher to a non-teaching profession. Since he is an aided teacher, we cannot take his job and can't transfer him, as he may continue doing the same."
The commission now plans to empower children by setting up a complaint box, which would be reviewed by the teachers.
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