Sexual harassment scandal rocks Romanian academic system
Romanian authorities are investigating the sexual harassment allegations reported in a number of universities recently
Mihai Pelin, 01.08.2024, 14:00
The Education Ministry has called for verifications at the level of higher education institutions regarding the cases that involved elements of sexual harassment (or similar actions) following recent information circulated in the media. The measures were announced after several female students recently claimed they were sexually abused by their teachers. So far, three names are intensively circulated in the media and on social networks. Sociologist Alfred Bulai denies the allegations, although he has filed his application for retirement. The National University of Political Studies and Public Administration (SNSPA) suspended Bulai from his position as chair of the Department of Sociology and removed him from any teaching positions pending an internal investigation by the university’s Ethics Commission. Meanwhile, at least 10 people sent emails to the Prosecutor’s Office about his behavior, after prosecutors called on citizens to contact the authorities with any information about the case. The Prosecutor’s Office is expected to follow up on these notifications. A criminal investigation has already been launched in the case of Alfred Bulai, who faces possible charges of abuse of office for sexual purposes.
Professor Ştefan Adam from the University of Architecture in Bucharest submitted a request of self-suspension, after several female students accused him of sending them lewd messages and pictures of him naked. The architect claims this is his private life which should not affect the image of the faculty. The third professor facing sexual harassment allegations is Marius Pieleanu, also from SNSPA, who is accused of sexual harassment even by the former Minister of Justice, Ana Birchall, but the Prosecutor’s Office claims it has received no notification in this regard. The sociologist continued to feature on TV shows and there was no journalistic investigation in this case that happened 16 years ago, Ana Birchall wrote on a social network.
“Sexual harassment is a scourge, with disastrous consequences for both the victims and the professional climate in any organization. When the perpetrators of such acts also hold positions that entail trust and authority, such as that of a teacher, the impact is even more devastating. I appreciate the courage of all those who have stepped forward and told the truth, and I encourage everyone who has been a victim of abuse of any kind to come forward. I ask that any deviation from the norms of ethics and integrity be harshly sanctioned, ensuring the protection of victims and post-traumatic assistance”, the Education Minister, Ligia Deca, said. The representatives of the Education Ministry emphasize that sexual harassment, along with any form of harassment, is considered a deviation from the ethical and deontological norms regarding respect for the human being and dignity, considering the fact that they destroy the dignity of the direct beneficiaries of the right to education and the prestige of the trade, in line with the provisions of the Higher Education Law of 2023. Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu expressed confidence that “the necessary measures will be taken in line with legal provisions”. (VP)
