In any academic institution, protecting the rights and safety of students is an indispensable duty. Faculty should be a reliable source of knowledge and guidance for students, not a threat or harm to them. However, incidents of faculty sexually harassing students occasionally occur, which not only damages the mental well-being of the victimized students but also shakes the confidence of parents in the entire school. Therefore, schools must take any allegations of faculty harassing students seriously, promptly initiate investigation procedures to ensure fairness and transparency, and take appropriate measures to protect students while imposing suitable punishments on unfit faculty members to ensure a safe learning environment for students.

Case Background

Xiao De is an honest university student who, after four years of hard work, was finally preparing for graduation season. However, a professor in his department began to use report assistance as an excuse to frequently summon Xiao De to his office. While ostensibly discussing academic work, the professor would inadvertently touch Xiao De's thighs and buttocks and even invited Xiao De out for meals after class and on holidays. Fearful of the professor who had control over his graduation grades, Xiao De endured this until he rejected the professor's invitation to a hot spring, after which he was targeted in his studies and received unacceptably low exam scores. Unable to bear it any longer, Xiao De sought help from our office.

Our Office's Practical Experience

Upon receiving a request for investigation or a report, schools or relevant authorities must first notify the Teacher Evaluation Committee for deliberation, and within twenty days, notify the applicant, the victim, or the reporter in writing whether the request is accepted. Once accepted, the Gender Equality Education Committee must form an investigation team to conduct the investigation, including interviewing teachers and students to complete the investigation report. According to Article 25 of the Gender Equality Education Act, the parties involved (students) and their legal guardians (parents) or actual caregivers must be informed of their rights and various relief avenues available, or be referred to relevant institutions for handling, and according to their needs, provided with psychological counseling, guidance, and other professional services. If necessary, protection measures, legal assistance, social welfare resource referrals, or other support should be provided. For reporters at risk of harm, necessary protection measures or other assistance must also be provided. Ultimately, our office gathered all relevant evidence, and through two meetings of the Gender Equality Committee, strongly advocated for and protected the students' rights, allowing the students to regain their confidence through subsequent counseling, and the unfit teacher was duly punished.

Reference：Ministry of Education Gender Equality Education Network
 
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