University sexual harassment allegations spark calls for institutional reform

Sexual harassment allegations have surfaced within university settings in Colombia and Peru, highlighting systemic challenges in institutional responses.

At the University of Palmira in Colombia, law students have come forward with anonymous reports of sexual insinuations and proposals by professors and advisors. Students report that internal reporting channels are hindered by bureaucratic requirements, such as the demand for physical evidence or eyewitnesses, which are difficult to provide in private encounters. Victims have expressed fear of academic retaliation, including lower grades or graduation delays, leading some to seek visibility through digital platforms instead of official channels.

In Peru, Jeanet Arones, regional coordinator for Manuela Ramos, has called for universities to ensure swift, objective, and impartial investigations. Arones emphasized that institutions must implement protection mechanisms for complainants to prevent academic disruption during proceedings. The National University of San Cristóbal de Huamanga (Unsch) has established a specific regulation for the prevention and sanction of sexual harassment, including the creation of a disciplinary commission and a disciplinary tribunal to handle such cases.