UGC allows male students to file sexual harassment complaints against women

The University Grants Commission (UGC) recently notified a new regulation that says apart from women and transgenders, males are also susceptible to such harassment. According to a report in The Telegraph, the UGC (Prevention, prohibition and redressal of sexual harassment of women employees and students in higher educational institutions) Regulations was notified last month that makes sexual harassment gender-neutral. The new regulation has also a provision for third-party complaints, meaning family, colleagues, friends or any person known to the victim can file a complaint on his/her behalf only if the s/he is unable to do so. The UGC said that several instances of male students being harassed were brought to its attention in the recent years. As per the new regulation, the complaint will have to be filed within three months of the offence.