The University of Porto approved 19 complaints, five of which concerned moral and sexual harassment.

The University of Porto (U.Porto) has confirmed 19 complaints from the academic community on its complaints portal since June 2022, five of which are related to moral and sexual harassment, the institution announced on Tuesday.

“These five complaints of moral and/or sexual harassment, duly substantiated by an independent commission for receiving and analyzing complaints, led to the opening of many other investigations that are still ongoing,” U.Porto replied to written questions asked by Lusa. .

Without providing details about the authors or the nature of the complaints, the university said the five trials are heterogeneous and involve more than just sexual harassment or student complaints about teachers, recalling that the complaint channel is open to the entire academic community.

“Article 200 of the General Law on Public Employment (Law No. 35/2014) defines the “secret nature” of these processes under the threat of disciplinary proceedings, according to which the University of Porto cannot speak publicly about itself,” he said. emphasized.

In the information sent to Lusa, U.Porto explained that in June 2022 it launched its “online denunciation portal” (www.up.pt/denuncias) specifically for reporting situations that are considered illegal in the institution, and divided into two main areas. : moral and/or sexual harassment and fraud and/or administrative complaints.

The complaint is made using an “online” form, guaranteeing the complete anonymity of victims and/or whistleblowers (if they so wish), eliminating the need for any type of interpersonal contact in the act of reporting, which can be carried out at the address at any time and day of the week indicated.

“The form was developed in a free ‘software’ specifically designed for the protection and safety of whistleblowers, with the suggestive name ‘GlobalLeaks’,” U.Porto said in a statement.

With regard specifically to the issue of harassment, the University of Porto has decided to establish a special independent commission to receive and analyze complaints, composed jointly by various members of the academic community, namely two professors, two non-teacher technicians and two students. .

He added that the mission of this committee is to implement an institutional strategy to prevent harassment, as well as to receive and independently analyze complaints received on the portal.

On this occasion, on Monday in Coimbra, the Minister of Higher Education defended that all higher education institutions should have mechanisms to prevent cases of harassment, as well as channels for condemnation and action from a sanctions point of view.

“We do not want there to be cases of harassment, and for this it is necessary, first of all, that institutions have prevention mechanisms that go through codes of conduct, codes of ethics, awareness-raising actions for teachers, employees, researchers. and students, regarding acceptable behavior or not,” said Pedro Nuno Teixeira.