The Committee to Adress Sexual Harassment at NISH (CASH-NISH) has been formed at NISH to address the issues under Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal of Sexual Harassment of Women Employees and students in higher educational institutions, Regulations 2015. The committee addresses complaints of sexual harassment of any kind from students and teaching and non-teaching members and takes necessary action. NISH has a zero-tolerance policy toward any such transgression. We are committed to providing a safe and conducive work and academic environment to students and employees and is extremely alert to matters pertaining to any kind of harassment and gender sensitivity.

(Internal Complaints Committee to prevent sexual harassment)

In pursuance of UGC (Prevention, Prohibition and redressal of sexual harassment of women employees and students in higher educational institutions) Regulations, 2015 read with Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 and in partial modification by UGC, Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) is re-constituted as under to deal with complaints relating to sexual harassment at work place.

The committee has been constituted by the Executive Director and has the following members.

1	Dr. Anne Varghese, Head-Allied Services	Chairperson	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.	+91 471 2944614
2	Ms. Neena M, Degree (HI)	Convener	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.	9495832580 +91 471 2944677
3	Ms. Sherin Joy, Admin	Member	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.	99952 52674 0471-294-4642
4	Ms. Sindhu IV DECSE	Member	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.	94461 53151 0471-2944626
5	Ms. Manju S ASLP	Member	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.	94953 92946 0471-294-4648
6	Ms. Namita N Namboothiri, BOT	Member	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.	90715 89621
7	Adv. Elsamma Praikalam, NGO-Sakhi	Member	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.	94474 91792
Student Representatives:
1	Ms Fathima Shijina BASLP student-First year	Member	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
2	Ms Anshana BOT student-Third year	Member	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
3	Ms Gifty Samgi Degree (HI) student-Third year	Member	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This committee will oversee all complaints from employees, students or visitors regarding sexual harassment. A sub-committee will perform the investigation and report to the full body CASH-NISH so as to review and take appropriate action.

The ICC shall comply with the procedure prescribed in the aforementioned UGC Regulations 2015 and the Sexual Harassment Act for inquiring into the complaint in a time bound manner.

If the ICC concludes that the allegations made were false or malicious, or the complaint was made knowing it to be untrue or forged, or misleading information has been provided during the inquiry, the complainant shall be liable to be punished as per the relevant provision of the aforementioned UGC Regulations 2015.

The Convenor, CASH-NISH shall receive the written/signed/verbal/typed complaints of sexual harassment, if any, on behalf of ICC and shall coordinate the deliberations of the ICC on the complaints received.

Who can approach CASH-NISH for help?

Any student, faculty, staff or client of the National Institute of Speech & Hearing.

Definition of Sexual Harassment

"Sexual harassment" includes any unwelcome sexually inclined behaviour, whether directly or indirectly, such as:

• Physical contact and advances
• Demand or request for sexual favours
• Sexually coloured remarks
• Showing any pornography, or
• Any other unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of sexual nature

What are the possible actions that can be taken against the accused if found guilty?

• Warning
• Written apology
• Bond of good behaviour
• Adverse remark in the confidential report
• Stopping of increments/promotion
• Suspension
• Dismissal
• Any other relevant actions

If you think you are being harassed, what should you do?

• Send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or submit your grievances HERE.
• To know more about ICC procedures, click (English) here.
• You may also refer to www.shebox.nic.in

Your complaint will be kept CONFIDENTIAL

Inquiry process

• The inquiry shall be completed within a period of ninety days from the date of complaint.
• On completion of the inquiry, the ICC shall provide a report of its findings to the Executive Director within a period of fifteen days from the date of completion of the inquiry and such report be made available to the concerned parties.
• If the allegations against the respondent has been proved, it shall recommend punitive actions to be taken against the respondent to the Executive Director.
• The Executive Director shall act upon the recommendation within sixty days of

receiving it.

Caveat

 All female faculty members, non-teaching staff and students must bear in mind that such complaints are of an extremely serious nature and should, on no account, be made in a frivolous manner. This platform should not be misused to settle personal scores, or for any other non-genuine reason

Useful documents and notices

• UGC / MHRD Notifications
• Sexual Harassment Electronic Box
• Sexual Harassment Handbook