Causing sexual harassment by words or by any communication could make a person liable for imprisonment of up to five years and a fine if found guilty under proposed amendments to the country’s criminal laws.
According to the amendments to be presented in Parliament shortly, the offender will also be liable to pay compensation to the victim.
Under the proposed amendments to the Penal Code, ‘communication, which amounts to sexual harassment, includes transmitting, distributing, sharing, generating, propagating, or publishing sexually explicit messages, remarks, images, audio, or video through electronic means or the internet.
The use of words or actions includes making any sound or gesture, exhibiting any object, making sexually coloured remarks, and demanding or requesting sexual favours.
Under the proposed amendments, the injuries caused include psychological or mental trauma. The proposed amendments have been brought because of increased complaints about sexual harassment of women and children.
Source: Sunday Times Print edition
