FROM KNOWLEDGE TO ACTION
A Training of Trainers (TOT) organized by the North Region was held at CRI House, Okhla, Delhi from 2nd March 4:00 PM to 3rd March 2024, concluding at 3:30 PM. The trainers represented religious men and women from the four dioceses of the North Region: Jammu-Srinagar (2), Jalandhar (5), Shimla-Chandigarh (5), and Delhi (5). The topics covered during the TOT were:
- Gender Policy of CBCI (8th December, 2009)
- Highlights of the study “It’s High Time” (2019)
- Motu Proprio of Pope Francis, 7th May 2019 (You Are the Light of the World)
- Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH), 2013 and ICC (Internal Complaints Committee)
- Prevention of Child Sexual Offenses (POCSO), 2012
- Grievance Redressal Cell (GRC), 2022
The above topics were thoroughly explained by the resource team, which consisted of Dr. Mrs. Amita Joseph, Adv. Sr. Mary Scaria SCJM, Dr. Sr. Anitha Chettiar DHM, and Sr. Mary Colaco DHM.
Session One – Sr Anitha Chettiar
The training commenced with a prayer led by Sr. Mary Colaco DHM. Following the prayer, Dr. Sr. Anitha Chettiar DHM presented the Gender Policy of CBCI, during which she acknowledged the contributions of the then Chairman of the Commission for Women, CBCI, Bishop John Thakur SJ, and its members, including Sr. Lilly Francis SMMI. She praised their dedication and successful publication of the long-awaited policy under the auspices of the CBCI.
Due to time constraints, Dr. Sr. Anitha Chettiar DHM utilized a PowerPoint presentation to emphasize the objectives of the policy, focusing on two key areas: “Women & Education” and “Women in Difficult Circumstances.” She provided apt examples to illustrate the detailed strategies outlined in the policy. However, she expressed disappointment and concern over the clergy’s lack of awareness regarding the policy and its inadequate implementation in various areas. The responsibility to internalize and implement the policy rests with everyone: men and women, commissions and communities, as well as institutions and organizations.
Presenting the highlights of the study, “It’s High Time” commissioned by the Women’s Wing of the National CRI (2019), Sr. Anitha highlighted various types of abuse and harassment experienced by women religious in India, including:
- Low wages for work in ecclesiastical institutions
- Matters concerning property
- Harassment of sisters in their pastoral and apostolic engagements
- Refusal to administer sacraments or celebrate Mass as a manifestation of negative reactions to the sisters
- Ignoring the personal or professional competence of sisters in the service of the mission
- Verbal abuse
- Sisters being humiliated by negative criticism from the pulpit
Participants present were invited to share their personal experiences of abuse and harassment. Sr. Anitha commended the courageous response shown by the sisters and also explained how to cope with and challenge abusers, sharing her own testimonies.
In the next segment of her presentation, Anitha unveiled a significant papal document personally signed by Pope Francis on May 7th, 2019, bearing the title Vos Estis Lux Mundi, meaning “You are the Light of the World.” This directive, a Motu Proprio, indicating the Pope’s special interest in the subject, represents a departure from the formality of decrees and is devoid of the traditional papal seal. Drawing insights from this document, she succinctly underscored Pope Francis’s serious concern regarding sexual abuse within the Church. Mandating action, the document stipulated that Dioceses and Eparchies, either individually or collectively, must institute within a year, stable and easily accessible systems for submission of reports, through the institution of a specific ecclesiastical office. Participants, when probed about the existence of such systems within their respective dioceses, unanimously expressed a lack thereof. In light of this revelation, Sr. Anitha encouraged the participants to approach their bishops to set up these systems as soon as possible.
Session Two – Dr Amita
The second session was conducted by Dr. Mrs. Amita V Joseph on “Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) and ICC (Internal Complaints Committee)” and on “Prevention of Child Sexual Offense (POCSO).” Sexual harassment refers to any unwelcome act or behaviour that is sexual in nature. It is a subjective experience, and what matters is the impact caused on the offended individual, not the intent of the offender. While POSH is based on the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act 2013, POCSO refers to the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act, 2012.
Quoting a survey by the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Dr. Amita explained the prevalence of Sexual Harassment at the Workplace with these figures: 52% of women experience Sexual Harassment, 25% are touched without invitation, and 20% encounter sexual advances. Citing relevant examples, she elucidated how sexual harassment often occurs within a matrix of power dynamics. She clarified that consent operates between equals and not between someone in a position of power and the one who is subject to the person in power. Furthermore, she explained the necessity of an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), which is mandatory under the law. Dr. Amita outlined what the ICC entails, its processes, constitution, and the procedure for filing a complaint.
Elaborating on the provisions of POCSO, Dr. Amita explained what constitutes POCSO, the offenses covered under the Act, punishments prescribed by the Act, the distinction between abetment and attempt, procedures for reporting cases, recording statements of the child, medical examination procedures, provisions for compensation and legal aid, and last but not least, monitoring and creating awareness among all.
Session Three – Adv Sr Mary Scaria
On the second day, Adv. Sr. Mary Scaria introduced the initiative of CRI’s Grievance Redressal Cell (GRC) by illustrating with a flower before and after being crushed. She described GRC as a platform for being heard, acknowledged, facilitating dialogue, providing redress, and accompanying religious towards healing. Adv. Mary Scaria elaborated on the concept of GRC, its purpose, context, process, procedures, grievance resolution, guiding principles, and scope. Participants’ questions, based on real cases, were addressed with relevant explanations and examples. She patiently responded to all queries regarding who can approach the GRC and expected outcomes.
In the subsequent session, she outlined the legal provisions and recent enactments, highlighting replacements: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita will replace the Indian Penal Code-1860, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita will replace the CrPC of 1973, and Bharatiya Sakshya Bill will replace the Indian Evidence Act of 1872. She urged participants to abide by the law, emphasizing the importance of documentation and timely maintenance of office requirements for various Societies and Trusts. Using examples, she stressed the need to boldly commit to social justice, secularism, and democracy, even being prepared to be martyrs for these values if necessary.
Sr. Mary Colaco facilitated a group discussion to outline the way forward post-TOT. Participants convened according to their local CRI units and meticulously devised plans to disseminate the GRC and other learnings to every religious within their respective CRI local units in the coming months.
All the units decided to call for their respective executive committee meetings in March itself and plan for their unit before transfers take place. All four units planned to have at least two trainings for all the religious in two different venues: one in the city and another in the outskirts, as the religious are spread far and wide. Each unit planned to explore and identify local resources to train on the topics, along with those who had undergone the training themselves in Delhi. During the feedback session, most participants expressed satisfaction with the awareness gained. They also expressed eagerness to fulfill their responsibility in sharing all the knowledge acquired during the TOT with every religious in their diocese, which includes the Latin, Syro-Malabar, and Syro-Malankara rites. The TOT concluded with gratitude extended to the resource team, the CRI house team, and to God Almighty.
Dr (Sr) Anitha Chettiar, DHM
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