An average of one case of sexual harassment is investigated by the University of Malta every year, Times of Malta has learnt.
A university spokeswoman said several cases had been investigated internally over the past 10 years but the decision to initiate police investigations was left up to the claimants.
“We have a strict policy of anonymity and protect victims’ identities completely. It is up to them to take things further,” the spokeswoman said, adding that the university would only involve the police if minors were involved.
We have a strict policy of anonymity and protect victims’ identities completely
The university is currently investigating a case of alleged sexual harassment by a lecturer which was reported by a law student earlier this month.
The student is claiming to have been targeted by the lecturer during the last academic year, but decided to delay reporting the issue until after the publication of her examination results.
Questions sent to the police about whether they have launched any investigations remained unanswered at the time of writing.
Meanwhile, university pro-rector Mary Anne Lauri raised concerns over the unprecedented media attention being given to the case. Prof. Lauri said she hoped the coverage would not deter students and staff from coming forward with reports.
The case was first reported by Nationalist Party newspaper In-Nazzjon which had claimed the student had been a victim of sexual abuse. Although the university spokeswoman said the case was one of sexual harassment, questions could be raised about the university’s definition of the term.
A look at the university’s sexual harassment page on its website defines it as “conduct of a sexual nature such as, but not limited to, sexual assault, verbal abuse or threats of a sexual nature, unwelcome sexual initiations or requests, demands of sexual favours, or unwelcome and repeated innuendoes or taunting”.
The university policy allows victims of sexual harassment to opt for a formal or informal procedure. In the latter case the alleged abuse is reported to a purposely-appointed sexual harassment advisor who hears out the two sides and draws up a resolution to be signed by both parties,
In the case of formal proceedings, a lecturer found to have committed sexual harassment could face disciplinary proceedings that include suspension without pay and dismissal. Anyone found falsely claiming harassment would face the same measures.