Few recent observations have forced me to change my views. Sexual harassment prevails because no action is taken even when cases are reported, even at reputable institutions.
When a woman reports such a behaviour, the first thing that concerned authorities do is to tell her that how everyone is talking about this incident and that her reputation is at stake. Their next step is to tell the woman that how it's always her fault and she must have given wrong signs due to which the man had the courage to misbehave. They discourage you from carrying the case any further by telling that men always get away with things, it's women who face the consequences.
They question the woman that why did she not do anything on the spot? She is told that she could have slapped the man. She is told all kind of fluff about women empowerment and that she should have taken an action right on the spot. If a student slapped a teacher for this, she'd be expelled right away.Trust me if some woman did so, she would be asked why she reacted and that she should have reported to higher authorities.
They always ask for proof, which a woman can obviously not provide. But worst are the cases where the harasser admits his misbehaviour yet a disciplinary committee sits to tell the woman how she must have enticed the man and that they will make an 'objective' report of the incident and see what can be done.
In times like these you realize the difference between the written policies and applied tactics.
