"If You're Going to Cause Trouble, Get Out"... Sexual Assault Help Requests Ignored Again

Professor A Reveals Sexual Assault, but "School Is Only Focused on Covering It Up"
Ignoring Human Rights Commission Recommendations, No Separation of Victim and Perpetrator
Expert: "Closed Organizational Culture, Vicious Cycle of Power-Based Sexual Violence"

File photo. A female professor affiliated with Yeungnam University has revealed that she was sexually assaulted by a male colleague professor, causing a stir. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] A female professor affiliated with Yeungnam University in Gyeongbuk reported to the school that she was sexually assaulted by a male colleague professor, but the school allegedly tried to cover it up, causing a stir.

The recurring issue of power-based sexual violence and the organizational culture that condones and neglects it remain unimproved, causing shock. Experts pointed out that the vicious cycle of power-based sexual violence is repeated due to the closed organizational culture regarding sexual violence issues.

Professor A of Yeungnam University, who revealed her real name, shared her experience of sexual assault on the Blue House's public petition board on the 11th. Professor A opened up, saying, "As a woman, saying 'I was raped' to the world is more shameful than death, but I am courageously revealing my real name and making it public."

Professor A explained that she reported the assault to the school, but the school was only eager to cover it up. She said, "Since Professor C, who was the vice president of Yeungnam University until recently, supervised the same center, I pleaded to be separated from Professor B, who raped me, but the response I received was 'If you want to make noise, leave.'" Professor A also said that Professor C removed her from her position and excluded her from meetings, effectively sidelining her from work.

Professor A said, "Thinking 'If a professor raped a female colleague, how dangerous would it be for students?' I reported it to Yeungnam University's Gender Equality Center and requested separation measures from students," but "Yeungnam University only held a grand Sexual Violence Countermeasures Committee to pretend to act, and said that separation measures from students were unnecessary for Professor B."

Yeungnam University. Photo by Yeungnam University

Earlier, in February, Professor A filed police complaints against Professor B for rape and Professor C for coercion. According to the police, Professor A claims that in June 2019, after a company dinner, Professor B followed her home under the pretext of escorting her and raped her.

In response, Professor B admitted to going to Professor A's house but denied the sexual assault allegations, and Professor C claimed, "The coercion charges are not true and will be clarified during the police investigation," according to reports.

Yeungnam University issued a statement on the 13th, saying, "Our university takes this matter seriously and has not concealed or downplayed any facts," and "Our university has conducted an internal investigation based on relevant regulations presented by related agencies, following principles and procedures." However, Yeungnam University dismissed Professor C, who is suspected of trying to cover up the incident, from his position on the 21st of last month.

University lecture hall. / Photo by Yonhap News

There was another case where the school responded lukewarmly to sexual violence occurring within the university. According to reports, in December 2018, a sexual violence incident occurred at a drinking party hosted by a professor at a law school in Gwangju. Student D of this school claimed that she was sexually harassed by a fellow student at this event and reported the damage to the school, but no measures were taken.

D filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRCK), which recommended in September last year that the university president revise regulations related to counseling, separation measures, and mediation procedures for victims of sexual harassment and sexual violence.

However, despite this recommendation, the school did not accept D's request for spatial separation. D requested to take the lawyer's exam in a different space from the perpetrator in December of the same year, but the school rejected the request.

Eventually, the National Graduate Student Labor Union filed a complaint with the Ministry of Justice, and when the Ministry notified the school to guarantee spatial separation measures, the school finally accepted it.

Citizens are outraged as the school's conservative and lukewarm responses to sexual violence crimes continue to be confirmed. Im, a worker in his 20s, said, "It is problematic that such sexual crimes occur in universities, which are places of education, but the school’s complacent response is an even bigger problem," adding, "Isn't it that the rights of perpetrators are still considered more important than protecting victims?"

Experts suggested holding employers more accountable for sexual violence incidents.

Attorney Lee Eun-ui (Lee Eun-ui Law Office) said, "(The Yeungnam University case) appears to be a typical power-based sexual violence case," and pointed out, "From the victim's testimony, it is clear that when she reported the assault to the school, she was not welcomed by the organization. The vice president's act of pressuring the victim not to publicize the matter despite the school's obligation to take action is inappropriate."

She continued, "The school organization still responds to sexual violence issues in a closed manner," and "When such problems occur, the Human Rights Commission's recommendations are issued, but responsibility for the criminals or employers is not properly enforced. This is one reason the vicious cycle of power-based sexual violence repeats. Even when employers are held accountable, the penalties are very minor fines. Investigative agencies and courts need to apply stronger measures to hold them responsible."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.