The understanding of the teaching staff of various universities when it comes to behaviour around students should change along with the times, said Minister of Culture Agnese Logina in an interview to TV3, commenting on the ongoing scandal regarding the possible sexual harassment of students in art universities.
The minister said the rector of Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music has provided an explanation of this situation. According to his explanation, these problems were not being resolved until public pressure appeared – until the topic became public, it seemed to the management the problem is not serious and should be resolved internally. Logina, on the other hand, believes this position is inadequate and, “if there is a problem, it needs to be resolved”.
Logina stressed the understanding what is and what isn’t appropriate differs between generations – what students had found acceptable from teachers is no longer considered appropriate, and teachers have to change along with the times.
The politician said universities have to provide students with an emotionally safe environment. Additionally, universities have to have a whistleblower system to report sexual harassment. They also have to update their codes of ethics.
The minister invited all who experienced harassment to report it, so that the problem can be resolved.
LTV previously reported testimonies from several students of Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, who spoke about sexual harassment from some of the academy’s teachers.
Most Latvian universities told LETA that they have no information about possible inappropriate behaviour from their teachers, sexual harassment included.
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Minister: teachers’ understanding of permissive behaviour with students should change along with the times
