A recent study designed and coordinated by the Gender Equality and Sexual Diversity Committee and KSU consisted of a survey to which 588 students and staff responded and while interviews/focus group sessions were conducted with 15 students’ organisations representatives.
The objectives of the study were to find out whether students and staff:
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Know which behaviour constitutes sexual harassment
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Whether they knew of people who have suffered sexual harassment at the University of Malta
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What actions were taken when they realised that they had been sexually harassed
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Whether students and staff were familiar with the UM Sexual Harassment policy and procedures
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Who was likely to be the target of sexual harassment, and where were they likely to be sexually harassed.
The study shows that 57% of the respondents were unaware that UM has a Sexual Harassment Policy. Yes, the University of Malta has such a policy and it is available here and any sexual harassment reports are to be sent on this email. Reports can also be done anonymously.
Sexual harassment is real and it is happening, we need to change this and start reporting such incidents, no matter how young or old one is. The study reveals that in 62% of sexual harassment cases, no actions were taken when someone experienced some type of sexual assault on campus.
Sexual harassment is never acceptable, it is important to keep in mind that men can also be victims of any type of violence and harassment and so can persons who identify as non-binary.
University should be a place where one feels free to be oneself and if only everyone respects one another and sees each other as (remove another) human beings with their own true emotions the world would be a better place.