Parliament this Wednesday approved a bill to create a psychological support response for victims of harassment in higher education institutions, however, rejecting a PAN proposal that would make sexual harassment a crime.
The Livre bill, which proposed strengthening psychological support for victims of harassment and sexual violence in higher education, was approved with a vote in favor of PCP, Bloco de Esquerda (BE), PAN and Livre, with the rest of the parliamentary benches abstaining.
On the other hand, the PAN initiative to sanctify the crime of sexual harassment received only positive votes from BE, PAN and Livre, deserving, however, votes against from PS, PSD, Iniciativa Liberal (IL) and PCP, as well as abstentions from He arrives.
Last week, Parliament already voted and rejected two bills, from Chega and from Bloco de Esquerda (BE), which would amend the Penal Code to increase penalties for sexual harassment and make sexual harassment a crime.
In addition to the harassment diplomas, two PAN initiatives related to child protection were voted this Wednesday. One of the initiatives aimed at creating the position of Ombudsman for Children and Future Generations was rejected by the PS and SDP in voting for Chega, BE, PAN and Livre and abstaining from IL and PKP.
The party’s second initiative on this issue proposed changing the composition and working procedures of the child and youth protection commissions and received positive votes from BE, PAN and Livre and abstained from PSD, Chega, IL and PCP, but ended up being rejected by the PS.
Parliament also defeated the Livre bill to criminalize it. PS, PSD, IL PCP and BE voted against, Chega and Livre voted in favor and PAN abstained.
On the other hand, a draft PAN resolution was approved recommending the government to enact a law on digital services and promote awareness and education to combat online hate speech and “cyberbullying”.
The initiative received the support of PCP, BE, PAN and Livre and abstained from the rest of the benches.