Jagannath University’s decisive action in suspending three lecturers following complaints of sexual harassment sets a good example for other institutions.
Sexual harassment needs to be challenged better everywhere in society. Its prevalence in educational establishments and college campuses is a direct consequence of the leniency that has been shown to lecturers and others abusing positions of authority.
It is high time educational institutions take a lead in moving away from a culture of ignoring or covering up misuse of power by staff.
According to the university’s vice-chancellor, a student of journalism filed a complaint against a male teacher who had threatened to lower her examination scores if she rejected his unwanted proposal to engage in sexual activity with him. Reportedly, he had also persuaded two other teachers to collude with him in lowering grades.
The university formed a five-member body to investigate into the matter which found evidence compromising all three suspects, leading to their suspension.
Tellingly, the inquiry also noted similar allegations had been brought against the prime perpetrator in the past with students submitting a memorandum of complaints to authorities against him two years ago.
It is welcome then to see the institution promptly take firm action on this occasion.
Measures such as these go a long way to show that corruption and coercion have no place in our society, and that any sort of unscrupulous behaviour on the part of administrative figures, regardless of sector, will be appropriately punished.
Jagannath University’s decision to investigate into the matter based on solely on the victim’s filed complaint should be the model for every educational institute in our nation which experiences similar problems with sexual harassment.
Thursday, April 25, 2024
