The University of Brussels (Vrije Universiteit Brussel) has taken decisive steps months following it faced blames of mishandling sexual misconduct claims on its campuses in tackling the issue systematically with a new battle plan unveiled this week.
From an archaeology professor abusing his position to a student sexually harassing his peers for months on end and without repercussions, the VUB has been criticised for failing to act appropriately despite having been aware of the claims.
Earlier in this year, the university stated that it was working to improve the handling of such incidents, which has now resulted in the new concrete plan – dubbed YANA (You Are Not Alone) – being made public.
“With this plan and the communication campaign around it, we hope to create greater awareness of sexual misconduct and more actively support victims in our academic community, both among students and staff,” the university’s new Chancellor Jan Danckaert told The Brussels Times on Tuesday following an event marking the opening of the academic year.
Danckaert explained that, with YANA, the VUB has its very own plan to tackle sexual harassment and violence on campus. All the measures proposed as part of the plan were discussed within four working groups, which included external experts on sexual misconduct. Students were also represented in these groups.
The plan has taken a preventive approach as well as a reactive one and is built on two main pillars: firstly, maximum commitment to prevention, and secondly (if abuse occurs), better counselling of victims so that they do not feel alone.
Danckaert recognised that it was not always clear to victims how to report an incident or file a complaint within the university and externally, and drew lessons from the past.
Danckaert recognised that it was not always clear to victims how to report an incident or file a complaint within the university and externally, and drew lessons from the past.
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