When to file a Complaint against Sexual Harassment

Generally, you must file a complaint within three months of the incident of sexual harassment that you have faced. The exact date of the deadline depends on the number of sexual harassment incidents you have faced. Also, if there has been a delay in filing a complaint, in some cases, your complaint might be accepted anyway.

3 Month Period^{(( Section 9(1), Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.))}

1. One Incident of Sexual Harassment
   You must file your complaint within 3 months of the incident of sexual harassment.
2. Multiple Incidents of Sexual Harassment
   If you have been subjected/been a victim of multiple instances of sexual harassment then you must file the complaint within 3 months of the last incident of sexual harassment.

Delay in Filing a Complaint

If you cannot file a complaint within 3 months:

1. You can approach the Internal Committee anyway and try and explain to them why you couldn’t file the complaint.
2. If the Internal Committee is satisfied that there were adequate circumstances that prevented you from filing a complaint then they will accept your complaint¹. This is at their discretion.

Please do act, with the help of adequate support groups, to file a complaint as soon as you are comfortable enough to do the same.