Rangamati, Sept 11 (V7N) — Speakers at a seminar at Rangamati University of Science and Technology (RMSTU) have urged students and staff not to remain silent about sexual harassment and cyberbullying, calling for institutional complaints and legal action against such incidents.
They said many victims remain silent because of social, family and psychological pressures, allowing perpetrators to escape accountability in some cases. They emphasized the need to create a safe environment where victims can report harassment and receive appropriate legal and psychological support.
The seminar, titled “Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Cybersecurity in Educational Institutions and Workplaces: Awareness and What to Do,” was held at the conference room of Academic Building-1 at RMSTU on Thursday afternoon, Sept. 10.
The event was organized by the university’s Complaint Committee for the Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Abuse and chaired by RMSTU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Zainul Abedin Siddique.
Professor Dr. Masuma Habib, a member of the University Grants Commission (UGC), joined the seminar online as the chief guest.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural and Biological Sciences Professor Dr. Md. Shafiqul Islam, acting registrar and Associate Professor of the Department of Management Mohammad Junaid Kabir, and Advocate Nilshree Chakma of the Rangamati District Judge Court attended as special guests.
Advocate Maksuda Haque, Special Public Prosecutor of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal at the Rangamati District Judge Court, presented the keynote paper.
In her presentation, Haque outlined existing laws and regulations concerning the prevention of sexual harassment in educational institutions and workplaces. She discussed various behavioral and verbal forms of sexual harassment as well as abusive comments, online harassment and other forms of cybercrime on social media.
She advised victims to preserve relevant evidence, including information about incidents, photographs, videos, messages and other documents. She said victims can initially report incidents to the relevant complaint committee and, when necessary, file a general diary or criminal case with the police and subsequently seek legal remedies through the cyber tribunal. She also advised people to contact the national emergency service at 999 when immediate assistance is required.
Haque said many victims do not disclose incidents of sexual harassment because of social, family and psychological fears, which can contribute to distress and emotional difficulties. She stressed the importance of counseling and creating an environment conducive to seeking legal remedies.
She also said legislation alone cannot eliminate such social problems. A culture based on mutual respect, humanitarian values, ethics and responsible behavior must be developed. At the same time, she emphasized ensuring a safe environment for complainants while allowing accused persons an opportunity to defend themselves.
In her address, UGC member Professor Dr. Masuma Habib stressed the importance of maintaining a zero-tolerance policy toward sexual harassment to ensure a safe and respectful environment at educational institutions.
She called for complaints of sexual harassment to be resolved fairly and promptly in accordance with institutional policies. She also emphasized the need for regular awareness seminars and training, effective institutional policies, complaint-resolution mechanisms and counseling services for affected students at RMSTU.
Habib said universities are not only places for acquiring knowledge and skills but also institutions where ethics and a sense of responsibility are developed. She urged students to use technology for the benefit of humanity and to become more aware of the social and psychological consequences of cyberbullying and sexual harassment.
She also called for complaints already submitted to the university’s complaint committee to be resolved promptly in accordance with established policies and urged the university to strengthen awareness activities on campus. She assured the university of necessary support from the UGC.
Advocate Nilshree Chakma, speaking about her personal experiences, said forms of sexual harassment have become increasingly diverse in the present era. She said awareness programmes of this kind could strengthen students’ confidence and encourage them to stand against abuse.
She urged victims not to conceal incidents of sexual harassment and instead seek legal remedies. She also emphasized the importance of education, ethical development and cultural activities.
Acting Registrar Mohammad Junaid Kabir said everyone at the university, including teachers and students, must remain aware of the need to prevent sexual harassment. He said discussions on the issue could play an important role in promoting mutual respect and creating a safe learning environment.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Shafiqul Islam said students who experience sexual harassment should promptly inform teachers and the complaint committee. He said the university would make sincere efforts to address complaints quickly after receiving them.
He said RMSTU would follow a zero-tolerance policy on sexual harassment, in line with the UGC and other universities, and stressed the need to develop students with strong ethical and humanitarian values.
In his concluding remarks, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Zainul Abedin Siddique said the seminar had given students a clearer understanding of the legal procedures for preventing, reporting and addressing sexual harassment, as well as the relevant penalties.
He emphasized distributing awareness leaflets and organizing training programmes on sexual harassment prevention and cybersecurity in university halls and across the campus. He also urged teachers, officials, employees and students to remain vigilant.
The vice-chancellor said RMSTU could become a safer, more humane and supportive campus through greater social awareness and access to justice.
At the beginning of the seminar, Assistant Professor Neingmraching Chowdhury Noni, chair of the university’s Complaint Committee for the Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Abuse and a faculty member of the Department of Management, delivered the welcome address.
She outlined the committee’s activities and said increasing awareness was one of its key objectives. She added that more seminars on cybersecurity would be organized in the future.
The seminar was moderated by Assistant Professor Rishita Chakma of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. Deans, department chairpersons, the proctor, teachers, officials, employees and students from different faculties attended the event.
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