The Nadigar Sangam has decided to take steps to ensure justice and protection for survivors of sexual harassment.
Published Sep 09, 2024 | 6:53 AM ⚊ Updated Sep 09, 2024 | 9:08 AM
Tamil actors and Nadigar Sangam leaders Vishal, Karthi and Nassar
The South Indian Artistes’ Association (SIAA), also known as Nadigar Sangam, has set up a special committee to ensure a safe working space for women in the industry.
After a meeting held on Sunday, 8 September, the Sangam, SIAA General Secretary Vishal said veteran actors Rohini and Suhasini have been made in-charges of the Gender Sensitisation and Internal Complaints Committee (GSICC) and that anyone, regardless of the industry, could raise their grievances with the duo.
Addressing a news conference, Sangam president Nassar said the organisation was taking the issue (exploitation and abuse of women) seriously and a committee has been formed to look into sexual harassment cases.
“We have given confidence to women that there is somebody to listen to their concerns. This is our first step. There may be 10 complaints, and each one is different. So we have to understand each complaint and act accordingly,” he said.
Rohini, known for her active involvement in social issues, welcomed the SIAA’s move.
“This is a crucial step towards ensuring that no voice goes unheard. For long, the industry lacked a structured way to handle these issues, and I am glad to see the association taking this matter seriously,” she said.
The newly established committee will focus on investigating complaints, providing counseling, and taking necessary action to ensure justice is served. The SIAA’s initiative is seen as part of a larger effort across the entertainment industry to foster a safe environment for women.
GSICC was formed after a redacted report of the Justice K Hema Committee in Kerala was made public on 19 August, after keeping it in cold storage for four-and-a-half years.
Hema Committee, formed after the kidnap and sexual assault of a female actor in a moving car in Kochi in 2017, looked into the exploitation of women in the Malayalam cinema industry. The report whipped up a Me Too storm in Kerala.
The Nadigar Sangam passed a resolution to ban sexual offenders and provide comprehensive support to survivors. As part of this resolution, it was decided that the GSICC would offer legal assistance to those complaining about sexual harassment.
It was also decided to work with the producers’ association to enforce decisions made against abusers. To streamline the process for survivors, Nadigar Sangam also set up a dedicated phone number and created a new e-mail address, specifically for lodging complaints related to sexual misconduct.
Further, the association advised survivors to approach the GSICC directly rather than presenting taking their cases before the media, for handling the complaints in a structured and confidential manner.
The GSICC resolution also included a provision to initially warn the alleged perpetrators. If the behaviour persisted or the complaint substantiated, further action would be initiated to hold the offender accountable.
(Edited by Neena with inputs from Nitika K Sivani)
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