The Equilibrio Gazette
A brief bulletin for building safe workspaces!
This weekly newsletter is your gateway to staying current on relevant
laws (like POSH, POCSO, Transgender Persons Act, etc.) and the
psychosocial intersections that impact the workplace.
17th January 2025 | Issue No. 64
Upcoming Events
Mark your calendars! In this section, we highlight an upcoming event you won't want to miss.
Have you signed up for our POCSO workshop yet? It is happening on 25th January, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The full day workshop will deep-dive into the various facets of the POCSO Act. The psychosocial impact and the nuances of CSA will be sensitively addressed by our expert facilitators, veterans in the field of law and psychology. If you are interested in becoming an advocate for child safety, register now for our workshop!
Our first Monthly Meeting for the year of 2025 is here! This month’s topic will help IC members gain an insight on the evolving nature of social media and what can constitute sexual harassment in the online space. Our facilitators will delve into the various nuances surrounding this topic. Don’t miss out on this important conversation, happening on the 31st of January, from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
In the Spotlight!
Explore ways to build your knowledge and capacity with our team of in-house experts!
The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act completed its ten year anniversary in 2024. But do you know whether the POSH Act, 2013 underwent any amendments in 2024? To know the answer,
Our co-founder Samriti Makkar Midha, speaks about the alarming statistics around Child Sexual Abuse in our country. She briefly outlines what steps can be taken to mitigate the risk factors. To know more,
Do you know what can be the legal consequences of possessing pornographic material involving a child? Child Safety at Work, helps you understand the answer to this question, according to the POCSO Act.
With the beginning of the new year, we often try to set new goals. However, staying aligned with these can sometimes be hard. Therefore, Mental Health at Work, breaks down the basics of how to set SMARTER goals for you. To utilize this new smart hack, and learn more, Click here.
Stay Current!
~ Spotlighting Landmark Judgments since passing of the Law!
I - LEGAL UPDATES
The Kerala High Court ruled that serious offenses under the POCSO Act cannot be quashed solely based on settlements, as such crimes affect public interest and child welfare. Despite the de facto complainant’s petition citing a misunderstanding and settlement, the court upheld the prosecution’s prima facie case and dismissed the plea.
The Madras High Court ruled that doctors are not obligated to verify a patient’s age or deduce an offense under the POCSO Act. Quashing an FIR against a gynecologist, the court emphasized that medical professionals should not face unwarranted harassment for acting in good faith and prioritizing patient care.
The Kerala High Court ruled that an intact hymen is insufficient to disprove penetrative sexual assault, emphasizing that hymen rupture is not mandatory for establishing such an offense. Dismissing the accused’s discharge petition, the court highlighted the victim’s testimony and evidence, directing the case to proceed to trial for thorough evaluation.
II - Exploring Intersections
Recently Meta updated its content moderation policy. The tech giant has decided to remove third party fact-checkers. This move makes the definitions of “hateful conduct” on Meta’s various platforms more lax. We explore the possible impact of these policy changes for marginalized groups, like women, queer and trans persons, who inhabit these digital platforms.
Engage with us!
Here's your weekly food for thought through a Fun Fact or Quiz.

Have a burning question about POSH? Maybe Mental Health at Work, Child safety or DEI&B strategies? Drop us an email with your query and we would love to answer it, in all seriousness.
Curious Cat: What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and how can we manage it?
Answer: It refers to a kind of depression that can be caused by the onset of the autumn and winter months. Among the traits of SAD an individual can feel low mood, low energy, changes in appetite and sleep patterns, feelings of isolation and social alienation, agitation and anxiety. Research shows that SAD can be linked to the level of sunlight exposure. Thus, light therapy (i.e. exposure to natural light or bright artificial lights) has been known to help with SAD. If you or anyone you know is experiencing SAD, then you can reach out to a mental health professional, as well.If anyone you know is experiencing this, you can reach out to us at connect@equilibrioadvisory.org.
Here’s all the tools you need to build safe and equitable workspaces!
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