Stalking is among the initial stages that lead to sexual harassment and violence against women. Several technological advancements have given stalkers a new weapon to victimize women and harass them online. Recently, a man from Mumbai was caught for the third time in less than a year for allegedly harassing his former colleague.
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The Indian Express reported that the 25-year-old former bank employee camped outside the woman’s home and confronted her when she stepped out of her house last week. According to the police, “when he spotted the woman on Saturday, he forcibly hugged her.” The official added that when the 29-year-old woman called the police, the man fled. However, they were able to track him, later that day.
The police also said that the accused, who met her when the lady joined a multinational bank last year, had made multiple phone calls and sent several text messages to her, pleading with her to meet him. However, the woman had to file a complaint against him when he began to harass her. The man was later fired from his job after he was booked for sexual harassment and stalking, police added.
There are several such cases that remain unattended and are often not reported by women. However, it is crucial for women to nip stalking in the bud. And thanks to the #MeToo movement, there are several laws that protect a woman from being stalked.
Here’s what you can do when being stalked or sexually harassed:
- Consider downloading safety apps on your phone and keep all the emergency SOS numbers at hand.
- Always rely on your gut feeling. If you feel you are being followed or monitored by someone, avoid going to secluded places. Always keep company.
- Call for help. The national police helpline number is 100. The national women helpline number is 181.
How to report the crime:
- You can always visit the nearest police station and report a sexual harassment case.
- Those who are under 18 years of age can lodge an FIR under the ‘Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012‘.
- Women who are being stalked can complain to the ‘National Commission for Women (NCW)‘ who will take the matter up with the police.
- If you are being stalked online, you can file an online complaint on ‘National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal’. You can also use this portal to anonymously report about any sexual harassment.
- In the case of anonymous complaints, you do not need to provide any personal information. However, information related to the incident/complaint should be complete for the police authorities to take necessary action.
If you are a victim of sexual harassment at the workplace, you should:
- Directly approach the Internal Complaints Committee established within your organization under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act (the SH Act), 2013 with a written complaint. Or
- In case, your organisation does not have ICC or if you want to make a complaint against the employer himself or if you work in the capacity of domestic help, then you can lodge your complaint with Local Complaints Committee established in your respective district under the SH Act. Or,
- You can contact the nearest police station to lodge an FIR against the perpetrator.
You can register your complaint at the national ‘SHe-BoxOnline Complaint Management System’ here.
Under the Section 354D of The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013 (Nirbhaya Act), stalking can attract punishment of “Imprisonment not less than one year but which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine”.
Remember ladies, running from these sick-heads is not an answer, reporting them is. Stay alert and stay safe.