During the Sitting of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, July 6, the debate commenced on the report of the Joint Select Committee on the Sexual Harassment Act of 2020 and the Sexual Harassment ( Protection and Prevention) Act, 2021. Gender Minister Olivia Grange sought to provide the major changes to the Bill ranging from an extension of the statute of limitation to an expansion of the conditions under which sexual harassment can take place.
Sexual harassment can take many forms. According to Minister Grange, it can occur in the workplace, home, or even schools. She outlined new features of the Sexual Harassment Bill in which the categories have been widened.
Minister Grange says the statute of limitation has also been extended from twelve (12) months to six years.
However, Grange notes one can be granted time to file a complaint to the tribunal outside the allotted time, however she says a valid explanation must be provided as to the delay of the report.
She also says, due to the uniqueness of the bill an earlier time for revision was agreed upon.
