“Out with the abusers!”: Sexual harassment and stalking reported at Cicese in Ensenada

ENSENADA, Baja California (apro).– Authorities from the Center for Scientific Research and Higher Education of Ensenada (Cicese) are accused of allegedly covering up different cases of abuse against students, in addition to a criminal complaint for harassment and sexual assault.

Last Monday, photographs showing interventions in different parts of the well-known center, which is currently directed by Dr. David Hilario Covarrubias Rosales, were published in press groups.

According to the images, leaves with messages such as “Predator”, “Stalker” can be seen. Cicese Researcher”, “We demand a safe Cicese without lukewarmness. Don’t cover up harassers,” and “Marco ‘N’ is accused of stalking and harassment… and continues to work at Cicese.”

Also a print with the legend “We demand immediate and undisguised solutions from the management of UABC, UNAM (and) Cicese in the face of cases and complaints of violence, harassment, bullying or rape. “In Ensenada we demand safe university spaces.”

In the latter, the official shields of the Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC) and the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) were added.

As part of the protest, a painting was also placed on an internal map of the center indicated with the message “Cicese traps abusers”, and another on the facade of the Center for Nanosciences and Nanotechnology (Cenyn) of the UNAM, with the expression “Out abusers”, in red.

Pronounced Ensenada Femicide Observatory

The Ensenada Observatory of Femicides pointed out, in different statements, that part of the student community of CICESE, as well as UNAM and UABC, are concerned about the lack of adequate diligence in the follow-up of these cases, and expressed solidarity with the victims, who “gain the courage to confront their aggressors.”

“Well, among them, there is a criminal complaint for sexual harassment and rape. In the face of negligence, lack of application of the necessary protocols and re-victimization. The request of the Society of Postgraduate Students in Life Sciences demands safe university spaces,” they noted.

They added that “serious allegations” have emerged in recent months and that they appear to be “covered up cases of harassment, stalking and violence.”

This, despite having “conclusive evidence” that would allow us to proceed in accordance with the established protocols.

“This has generated deep concern and discontent among the academic community, the Student Society and society in general. Although Cicese has announced the creation of a Gender Equality Unit, unfortunately, they have not clearly specified what protocols they will follow to address these complaints. This lack of transparency and immediate action is unacceptable, especially considering the clear history of previous unresolved situations,” the observatory stressed.

She also found it “alarming” that, at present, victims have not been provided with a specific telephone number or email address to report cases of violence or to receive support.

“This omission reveals a crucial shortcoming in the institutional response to a problem as serious as gender violence. We demand that the CICESE authorities act immediately, transparently and responsibly in response to these accusations,” the organization stated, in addition to demanding that the competent authorities thoroughly investigate these accusations.

“The protocol will be presented on July 1”: Cicese

The general management of Cicese assured that as of July 1, a protocol that prevents and eradicates gender violence, harassment and labor and sexual harassment will be presented to the community, according to a response to a request for information for Proceso.

In the letter they stated that, through the aforementioned address, the Directorate of Postgraduate Studies and the Ethics Committee address at the center the concerns and demands recently expressed regarding complaints of harassment and harassment.

“In response to these reports, CICESE’s priority is to listen to, address and resolve the concerns of our community, and protection measures are already being implemented for people who have filed complaints of violence,” they said.

The official indicated that since May of this year they created the Gender Equality Unit to implement a protocol to prevent and eradicate gender violence, harassment and sexual and workplace harassment.

“As well as any type of culture contrary to dignity that persists in the academic spaces of our institution. Said protocol will be presented to the Cicese community next Monday, July 1,” according to the official response.

Finally, they added that they are “aware” of the challenge involved in facing this “systematic and cultural” problem.