A week of bad publicity over its handling of sexual harassment has pushed University College Dublin (UCD) into a belated reckoning. These and countless other studies suggest an epidemic of sexual harassment and misconduct in the sector. No woman should feel she must publicly air her experience in order for sexual harassment in any institution to be taken seriously, but Dr Ní Shúilleabháin’s testimony has already brought some positive results. Prof Deeks spoke of a “zero tolerance” approach and a “core procedural shift” that would give UCD the option of investigating allegations without a formal complaint being made. If these events result in better policies at UCD, important progress will have been made.

Source: The Irish Times September 14, 2020 17:45 UTC