About SHe-Box

The Government of India (GoI) has enacted The Sexual Harassment at Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 with the objective to create a safe and secure workplace for women free from sexual harassment. This Act caters to women working both in the organised and unorganised sectors and establishes a redressal mechanism for the disposal of their complaints.

This Act is unique in its broad coverage which includes all women, irrespective of their work status, whether working in organised or unorganised, public or private sectors, regardless of hierarchy. The domestic workers are also included within its ambit. It defines sexual harassment at the workplace comprehensively, covering circumstances of implied or explicit promise or threat to a woman's employment prospects, creation of a hostile work environment, or humiliating treatment that can affect her health or safety.

How to Register a Complaint?

This Sexual Harassment electronic Box (SHe-Box) is an effort by GoI to provide a single-window access for every woman to facilitate the registration of complaints related to sexual harassment.

Any woman facing sexual harassment at the workplace can register their complaint through this portal. Once a complaint is submitted to the SHe-Box, it will be directly sent to the concerned authority having jurisdiction to take action.

Steps to Register:

• A valid email ID and mobile number are required.
• Click on the Register your Complaint tab on the Home screen.
• For further details, refer to the User Manual available on the website.

Resources on Sexual Harassment Act, 2013

The Resources section of the SHe-Box contains detailed information on the issue of sexual harassment at the workplace. It includes:

• The full text of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, and Rules (available in Hindi & English).
• A Handbook explaining the SH Act in an easy-to-understand manner.
• A training module for capacity building of government officials.
• Government advisories, OM, and guidelines issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).
• Awareness videos on the SH Act.

Complaints and Counseling Cell

The Complaints and Counseling Cell of the Commission processes all complaints, whether received orally, in writing, or suo-motu under Section 10 of the NCW Act.

Types of Complaints Handled:

• Domestic violence, harassment, dowry, torture, desertion, bigamy, rape
• Refusal to register FIR, cruelty by husband, deprivation, gender discrimination
• Sexual harassment at the workplace

How Complaints Are Addressed:

• Expedited police investigations and monitoring
• Notifying state authorities for necessary action
• Family disputes resolved through counseling
• Sexual harassment cases are expedited and monitored as per the SH Act, 2013
• Inquiry Committees are set up for serious crimes, with powers to summon the accused and witnesses

Cases Not Entertained by the Commission

• Illegible, vague, anonymous, or pseudonymous complaints
• Frivolous complaints
• Civil disputes (e.g., contractual obligations)
• Service matters not involving deprivation of women's rights
• Labour/industrial disputes not involving deprivation of women's rights
• Matters pending before courts/tribunals
• Issues already decided by another Commission
• Matters older than one year

Anti-Sexual Harassment Committee