Blowing the Whistle: Sexual Harassment and Redressal Among Female University Students in India

This paper examines the issue of sexual harassment faced by female students in Indian Universities. The study examined (a) Reporting of sexual harassment to higher authority i.e. parents, teachers and police, (b) Subsequent reactions of authority to the reports, (b) perceived causes of not reporting Sexual harassment. By way of stratified random sampling, 320 female University students were selected doing Master’s and research from four Indian Universities. They completed the Sexual Harassment Survey (2000) by Sinha. Percentages and t-tests were used for statistical treatment of data. Findings reveal, overall frequency of reporting incidents of sexual harassment to higher authority was low. Reporting of harassment was mainly done to parents. Reporting to the police was rare. Reactions to the report by authorities ranged from favorable to unfavorable behavior. Reporting was frequently considered useless as participants felt that no positive outcome would emerge, rather unwarranted blaming and difficulties may crop up.