About the Cell

At HCAS, we believe that a safe, inclusive, and respectful educational environment is fundamental to learning and personal growth. The Anti-Sexual Harassment Cell has been established to uphold this belief by ensuring our campus remains free from discrimination, harassment, and bullying of any kind.

The Cell is committed to preventing sexual harassment and addressing every complaint with sensitivity, confidentiality, and fairness. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy and adopt a structured, unbiased approach to filing, investigating, and resolving issues—safeguarding the rights, privacy, and dignity of all members of the college community.

Policy Statement

The Anti-Sexual Harassment Policy is designed to:

• Protect individuals from sexual harassment;
• Provide a clear procedure for reporting and addressing complaints;
• Foster a respectful and safe working and learning environment;
• Promote awareness and encourage respectful workplace behaviour.

This policy aligns with the Supreme Court directives, UGC regulations, and the University of Madras guidelines.

Objectives

• To implement and uphold anti-sexual harassment measures in accordance with UGC and University of Madras guidelines.
• To maintain a safe and healthy institutional environment.
• To understand and address the root causes of harassment, aiming at long-term prevention.
• To raise awareness among students, faculty, and staff on what constitutes sexual harassment.
• To organize regular awareness programs, workshops, and campaigns on gender sensitivity and harassment prevention.
• To ensure strict confidentiality in handling complaints, inquiries, and related proceedings.
• To prevent any disturbances or misconduct arising from gender-based discrimination.

Definition of Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment includes—but is not limited to—the following behaviours:

• Unwelcome physical contact or touching
• Staring or leering inappropriately
• Sexually suggestive comments or jokes
• Intrusive personal questions or remarks
• Derogatory remarks or insults based on gender
• Inappropriate or sexually explicit communications (emails, texts, etc.)

Activities of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Cell

• Formulating and implementing an action plan to enforce the policy.
• Promptly addressing and resolving complaints from students and staff.
• Conducting fair, impartial investigations and taking necessary action.
• Periodically reviewing and updating the policy to meet evolving needs.
• Promoting awareness about professional conduct and respectful interactions.
• Creating a campus culture where students feel empowered to report incidents without fear.
• Ensuring the Cell remains visible, accessible, and responsive at all times.