Promulgating safe spaces in the university, the official Gender and Development arm of the PUP College of Communication (COC) Aming COMMHie, launched the “sASHay AWAY: Anti-Sexual Harassment Refresher Course” at the PUP Sta. Mesa Accenture Media Room, on February 5.
In collaboration with the PUP Gender and Development Office (GADO), the COC Student Council (SC) conducted the seminar to alleviate sexual harassment concerns after a grooming case that occurred last academic year.
“Gusto ko lang i-reiterate na wala po sa footing ang student council ng COC na kalimutan kung anong nangyari sa COC last year at lalong wala kami sa footing para palambutin ang lupa para sa mga ganoong klase ng bagay,” COC SC President Aem Ignacio stated.
“There is a heavy responsibility placed upon us na hindi rin itago yung ganitong klaseng bagay sa mga estudyante ng COC for their own safety; kaya tayo naglulunsad ng ganito para regardless kung malaman nila ano mangyari last academic year, alam nila yung mga ways forward if ever na mangyari ulit ‘yun,” Ignacio added.
Numbing Numbers
Sexual harassment in PUP is far from an isolated case.
According to a statistic disclosed by the Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CoDI), two professors, one part-time teacher, and a student were expelled or dismissed for illicit behaviors between 2020 and 2023.
In addition, 13 students and two professors were suspended within the timeframe. These are still different from unreported cases that CoDI aims to crack down on by conducting various programs in PUP.
During the previous academic year, doubts about campus safety rose after a professor sexually harassed a COCian—prompting immediate action from the university.
“Gusto naming kausapin ang COC, kasi nga ito, may gan’yan, at ngayon lang tayo nagkaroon ng pagkakataong makapag-usap ng ganito. We’ve been trying na maka-usap kayo, pati yung mga faculty ninyo kasi gusto namin na putulin na kung ano man yung sungay na ganito,” GADO Director Jerome Permejo said in a forum.
Permejo also expounded on the grooming incident, explaining how relationships between students and teachers should be limited, as these connections are prone to power abuses.
The issue further sparked controversy last December after PUP Memes, a Facebook troll page, posted a picture depicting the “average COC student-professor relationship,” which garnered the contempt of many communication students who deem the joke offensive to the reality of harassment within the college.
“Mariin itong kinukundena ng kolehiyo sapagkat kailanman ay hindi dapat ginagawang katatawanan ang sexual harassment at grooming cases na hanggang ngayon ay tinutuligsa at sinisikap na labanan ng kolehiyo. Malinaw na ang ginawa ng nasabing page ay kawalan ng respeto sa mga biktima ng pang-aabuso sa loob ng pamantasan,” an excerpt from the Aming COMMhie post read.
Drawing fine lines
Chief of the Center for Gender Training and Advocacy Jose V. Clutario kickstarted the course with his discussion on gender-based violence and sexual harassment.
Given that any acts of sexual abuse are rooted in the absence of consent, Clutario introduced the mnemonic FRIES (Freely given, Reversible, Informed, Enthusiastic, Specific), that stands for what constitutes sexual consent.
“Consent is not assured; it should be communicated clearly,” Clutario emphasized.
Sexual harassment has many forms and can be perpetuated either in public, private, or virtual settings, as Clutario discussed. Innuendos, wolf-whistling, and inappropriate questions count as verbal sexual harassment. Flashing pornographic images, other sex-based material, and indecent exposure are considered visual sexual harassment.
He also added that any forms of the latter transmitted through messages, social media, and other platforms constitute online gender-based violence (OGBV).
Even brushing up against the body can mean physical sexual harassment. Although physical contact is inevitable in socializing with peers and elders, Clutario underscored that fine lines should be drawn between them—boundaries. Evaded boundaries are grounds for sexual harassment and abuse.
On reporting abuse
While victims usually turn to their respective student councils, chairpersons, and deans, the GADO encourages them to direct their reports to CODI, the sole committee in the university mandated to resolve such cases.
A preliminary investigation will be conducted once the complaint is deemed sufficient in form and substance. Cases where the perpetrator is a student will be submitted to the Office of the Vice President for Student Services.
Administrative cases against an employee or teacher are forwarded to the Office of the President, leading to a preventive suspension during the investigation. Victims can also apply for a protection order to prevent any "retaliatory acts or continuing acts of sexual harassment."
When proven guilty after a series of hearings, perpetrators can face sanctions as indicated in the CODI Manual and the existing laws. Depending on the seriousness of the incident, a student found guilty of sexual harassment may be punished with a reprimand, suspension, or expulsion.
Administrative cases also fall under the jurisdiction of the Civil Service Commission (CSC), whose investigations can be escalated to its cohort agencies if deemed necessary. According to the CSC's rules on sexual harassment, the perpetrator is subject to reprimand and outright dismissal from the service.
On the other hand, the CODI Manual states that complaints have a prescriptive period of four years, meaning that sexual harassment cases should be filed within four years from the commission of the act. However, there were cases wherein complaints beyond the prescriptive period proceeded with the trial.
Chief of the GAD Focal Point System (GFPS), Guillen Nabong, referenced a case from 2019 wherein the CODI proceeded with its investigation after the complaint was raised only to the chairperson and decided upon without due process. Nabong then emphasized that chairpersons have no authority to decide on such cases, whereas it is recommended to direct them to the CODI.
“Kahit lumagpas ng lima or sampung taon, kahit halimbawa hindi sa loob ng PUP, pwede pa ring dinggin sa husgado. Ngunit ang challenge nito, ‘wag kakalimutan ang burden of truth sa nag-aakusa,” GADO Director Permejo added.
Article: Marc Nathaniel Servo & Mary Rose Maligmat
Graphics: Yuko Shimomura
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