‘Tourist hotspots lack panels to tackle sexual harassment’

Panaji: A study has found that most of the places frequented by tourists lack an internal complaints committee to ensure that sexual harassment doesn’t take place.

Arz, Goa police’s nodal agency for rescuing victims of commercial sexual exploitation, said that the study identified massage parlours, beauty salons, hotels, casinos, clubs and pubs as industries highly vulnerable to sexual abuse and exploitation, and there are no sexual harassment committees.

“Issue directions to massage parlours, hotels, casinos, clubs, and pubs to establish ICs in compliance with the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act. Ensure that establishments without ICs are connected to the local committee (taluka or district-level sexual harassment committees). Organise awareness and training programmes for the staff members of massage parlours, hotels, clubs and casinos,” ARZ has written to both the collectors.

We appreciate Goa govt’s steps towards the prevention of sexual harassment at the workplaces, ARZ’s Arun Pandey said.

“We would like to appeal to govt that, under the leadership of the North and South collector’s, special attention be given to the most vulnerable groups of working women, such as those working in massage parlours, hotels, casinos and clubs/pubs. Many of these women are not only victims of commercial sexual exploitation but face sexual harassment by the clients,” Pandey said.

He said that many women told ARZ that clients make sexual advances, seek sexual services, pass suggestive comments, but when they complain to the employer, the employer in the interest of their business, usually asks the clients to leave instead of reporting to police.

“A proactive step by govt, by forming an IC committee or including these establishments under the local committees with experienced NGOs as members of the committee, would not only prevent sexual harassment, but also prevent these establishments from becoming centres for commercial sexual exploitation,” Pandey said.

He said that Arz is willing to assist as a member on these committees.

Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, Location Guesser and Mini Crossword.