Alexis Tam stresses zero tolerance on sexual harassment in university

Regarding the reports that a growing number of female students at the University of Macau (UM) have fallen victim to sexual harassment, the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Alexis Tam, stressed that the government will not tolerate sexual harassment in college, and that the perpetrators should be punished.
Tam said that he felt unhappy about the sexual harassment incidents coming to light in UM consecutively, and expected a rigorous investigation into the trend. He added that the university’s specifications for preventing and punishing sexual harassment should be open and transparent so that students are being protected.
As for reporters’ complaints that the UM rector, Zhao Wei, tended to ignore their repeated questioning, Tam said that not only UM, but other governmental departments should communicate closely with the media and respond to their questions.
In response to this criticism, Mr Zhao said that he will definitely strive to cooperate [with the media]. He revealed that a total of four complaints have been received since his taking office as rector. Three of them were received in the second half of last year and are still undergoing preliminary investigation. He stated that UM has zero tolerance for sexual harassment, and would punish perpetrators severely. BY