Ateneo: Measures in place to protect students, employees vs sexual harassment

MANILA, Philippines — The Ateneo de Manila University on Wednesday assured that measures are in place to protect its students and employees against sexual harassment.

The university made the assurance after students and faculty members of Ateneo staged a protest Tuesday amid reports of sexual harassment in its campus.

READ: Protests vs sexual harassment rock Ateneo

“The Ateneo de Manila University does not tolerate or condone sexual harassment by any member of its community,” the campus’ University Marketing and Communications Office said in a statement.

“Measures are in place to ensure age protection of our students and employees from any form of sexual harassment, at the same time guarantee that due process is followed, all parties are heard, and justice is served,” it added.

The university explained that formal complaints filed were handled by the University’s Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI) which is tasked to probe the case “in accordance with the process required by law and our University rules.”

Sanctions are also imposed in consideration of evidence presented.

However, the university said that they cannot divulge information on the identities of the parties involved due to confidentiality restrictions under the Data Privacy Act and Safe Spaces Act.

This also includes information on proceedings conducted, as well as the decisions made by the university.

“We acknowledge that the burden is on the University to gain the test and confidence of the community,” the university said.

“Other systems and structures that are already in place, such as the Gender Hub and the University Gender and Development Focal Point, provide checks and balances to ensure that we progress steadily towards greater accountability, restoration, and relief,” it added.

The university then renewed its commitment to improve its system and build a “safer and more gender-sensitive Ateneo.”

The stories of the alleged sexual harassment incidents broke out on social media platforms such as Facebook. /je