Saad demands action sexual attacks at THiNK & IFFI
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 22 November 2013 22:23 IST
Bailancho Saad has strongly condemned quick and sure punitive action in the incidents of sexual harassment and sexual assaults that have taken place at THINK FEST and IFFI organised in Goa.
Sabina Martins, the leader of Bailancho Saad, has also recalled Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal's statement at the first THiNK Fest held in 2011, where he had stated that “when in Goa, one can sleep with anyone you like”.
“We want action not just against the sexual assault but also against the message given out to the public that in Goa, one can hold events and abuse women especially by people in power”, she said.
Similar is the behaviour of IFFI organizers, she said, where the Deputy Director of International Film Festival, solicited sexual services from women employed for organising the event.
While the Goa government has registered a complaint against Tarun Tejpal, Martins asked why the Deputy Director of IFFI continues to hold the post without even a written apology being taken.
Bailancho Saad received a complaint from the victim JNU student, who was employed as a Programmer for IFFI.
On the pretext of daily briefing, Martins informed that she was called and later suggestions were made for sexual favours.
The student was advised to file a complaint with the sexual harassment committee.
As there was no information as to where the Complaints Committee was at the venue and who the members were, the complaint was sent to DFF Director Shankar Mohan and Information and Broadcasting Ministry on 17 November.
She also complained that CCTV cameras were used for voyeuristic purposes.
A committee was hurriedly constituted, where the student and accused Dy Director IFFI were heard by three committee members. The student was not informed who was the NGO representative on the committee.
The girl was told that the matter would be looked into but no written apology was taken from the accused.
As the girl was traumatised, she tendered her resignation and left for Delhi.
The girl was forced to leave her job the accused continues with no action taken by the government, observed Martins.
