Legislation

Throughout this knowledge module, reference to certain provisions or sections of a piece of legislation, part of a legal judgment, or aspect of a practice does not imply that the legislation, judgment, or practice is considered in its entirety to be a good example or a promising practice.

Some of the laws cited herein may contain provisions which authorize the death penalty. In light of the United Nations General Assembly resolutions 62/14963/16865/206, and 67/176 calling for a moratorium on and ultimate abolition of capital punishment, the death penalty should not be included in sentencing provisions for crimes of violence against women and girls.

Other Provisions Related to Domestic Violence LawsResources for Developing Legislation on Domestic Violence
Sexual Harassment in Sport Tools for Drafting Sexual Harassment Laws and Policies
Immigration Provisions Resources for developing legislation on sex trafficking of women and girls
Child Protection Provisions Resources on Forced and Child Marriage
Other provisions related to dowry-related and domestic violence laws
Related Tools

Retaliation

Last edited: January 13, 2011

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Legislation should prohibit retaliation against any individual who reports harassing behaviors, who brings a complaint or legal claim alleging sexual harassment, or who cooperates with an investigation into sexual harassment.

Examples:

Belize’s Protection Against Sexual Harassment Act (1996) specifies that “No employer shall carry out any action which adversely affects the opportunities, terms and working conditions of an employee who has rejected the employer's practices that are in conflict with the provisions of this Act, or who has instituted proceedings, has given testimony, collaborated or participated in any investigation, procedure or hearing initiated under this Act. (See: Art. 6)

Benin’s legislation on sexual harassment provides that no victim of sexual harassment can be sanctioned or fired for having suffered or refused to undergo acts of harassment, and also specifically prohibits retaliation against students in schools. (See: Proposition de loi sur le harcèlement sexuel, Arts. 4-6) Chinese law also provides an example of an anti-retaliation provision, stating that:

Where a person, in violation of the provisions of this Law,…retaliates against the woman who makes the compliant, charge or exposure, the unit where the person works or the department in charge or at a higher level shall instruct him to rectify, and give administrative sanctions according to law to the person directly in charge of the unit and the other persons directly responsible.

(See also: Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Protection of Rights and Interests of Women, Ch. 8 Art. 50.)