‘Sexual bribery’ an offence under Anti-Corruption Bill – Justice Minister

June 21, 2023 at 4:50 PM

‘Sexual bribery’ at the workplace has been included as a punishable offence in the proposed Anti-Corruption Bill, Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe stated today.

Speaking during the debate on the proposed Anti-Corruption Bill in Parliament, the Justice Minister stated that it has been noted that women most often face sexual harassment in the workplace from male colleagues.

Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe further stated that, however, at present it must also be considered to include sexual harassment reported between the same sex at workplaces as well. 

“Not only women face sexual harassment from men. It has been observed that women face sexual harassment from women and men from men, as well,” he said.

His remarks come after the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus pointed out that the term sexual favour diminishes the offence in the proposed Bill.

The Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, therefore, requested that instead, the term ‘sexual bribery’ be substituted as it ensures that the gravity of the offence is reflected in the law.

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