THE SANGGUNIAN has released a memorandum regarding the “increasing number of complaints on sexual harassment and on indecent and disrespectful behavior against other genders.” The Sanggunian expressed that this behavior is “unacceptable” and “unbecoming of any human being, let alone an Atenean.”
The memorandum encouraged students to come forward to their school representatives with their questions or complaints regarding sexual misconduct.
School of Social Sciences (SOSS) Representative Dasha Uy said that the Sanggunian has been receiving more complaints since the launch of the Violence Against Women Desk last school year 2016-2017.
Uy said that the majority of these acts of sexual misconduct towards students were committed by their peers.
“[The incumbent Sanggunian] received its first report in June or July, and they’ve been trickling in since then,” said Uy.
A culture of intolerance
The Sanggunian’s memo urges students “not to tolerate these actions when they see it in themselves or in their peers.”
Uy discouraged students from staying silent in the face of situations involving disrespect, discrimination, and dehumanization based on gender. She urged students to file complaints, discourage this behavior among friends, and speak up in situations where they are uncomfortable.
Uy also emphasized the importance of engaging peers in conversation to avoid acts of sexual misconduct by asking about what others feel comfortable with and what their limits are.
According to Uy, there is a need for “more open, frank discussions” about sex within the University community.
“I think it’s time to stop thinking that even just having sex is irresponsible. We’re college-aged young adults—it’s going to happen,” Uy said.
She said that the community should promote topics such as responsible sex, consent, and respect for sexual partners.
Meanwhile, Sanggunian President Ia Marañon said that there is a need for women to have more platforms to speak up about gender violence and sexual misconduct.
Marañon said that as a “systematically disenfranchised” group, women should “push for more equal power relations.”
Improving policies
The University follows the CHED Memorandum Order 26, which adheres to the policies of Republic Act (RA) 7877 Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995.
RA 7877 covers sexual harassment in situations that involve power dynamics, such as cases that involve teacher-student and employer-employee relationships.
Marañon said that because of this, the RA is “blind to the power mediated between men and women in general.” She said that this is significant “given that most cases have women as victims.”
On the other hand, Uy stated that peer-to-peer sexual harassment is “more likely to happen” in a university setting, and she noted that Philippine laws lack clear policies on such situations.
She also noted the lack of clear definitions of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and consent in school policies.
As a result, Uy said that many students who approached the Sanggunian with their reports were confused about where and how to get help, and whether or not they were violated.
“We can encourage more people to come forward by being clearer [about the definition of sexual misconduct and filing cases],” she said.
Uy suggested that information such as how to file a case, what happens to a case, and what counts as sexual misconduct should be spread to clarify the issue.
This lack of clear policy is being addressed by a baseline study on existing gender policies and programs in the Loyola Schools (LS) that is being conducted by a group of LS professionals.
The study will also look into improving existing LS policies regarding harassment, sexual misconduct, and health services.
Moreover, the Sanggunian is currently drafting and conducting a peer-review on a policy proposal regarding cases of sexual misconduct, according to Uy.
Marañon said that the Sanggunian is also working with the Loyola Schools Office of Guidance and Counseling to create modules on sexual misconduct.
