#MeToo: NCW Reaches Out to Sexual Harassment Survivors

“We are also personally reaching out to the survivors telephonically,” the NCW official said.

File image of NCW Chairman Rekha Sharma. 

(Photo: IANS)

The National Commission for Women (NCW) is in the process of reaching out to the survivors of sexual harassment as the #MeToo storm intensified in the country, with more women recounting their ordeal.

The movement, picking up after Hollywood’s #MeToo campaign against producer Harvey Weinstein, started after actor Tanushree Dutta alleged that Nana Patekar sexually harassed her on the sets of a movie in 2008.

Patekar has rejected Dutta's allegations. The movement has gained momentum as more women came forward on social media to share their experiences of sexual harassment in the entertainment and media industry.

Most of the women I can say go through these things and when they don’t complain, these predators get reason to do more harassment to other women. I would like to send a message to all girls and women that anything happens to them they should report to police.

Rekha Sharma, NCW Chief

An official of the NCW said the women’s rights body is in the progress of gathering detailed information of the various sexual harassment allegations.

“We are also personally reaching out to the survivors telephonically,” the official said.

Journalist Sandhya Menon, one of the women who have been leading the charge on social media, took to Twitter to confirm that the NCW was reaching out to the survivours.

Weeks after Tanusharee levelled allegations against Patekar, Maharashtra State Commission for Women on Tuesday, 9 October, took cognisance of the complaint filed by her.

The Commission issued notices to Patekar, choreographer Ganesh Acharya, producer Sameer Siddiqui and director Rakesh Sarang, and asked them to submit their response within 10 days.