The University of Zagreb is and will be a place of zero tolerance to any kind of abuse, Rector Damir Boras said on Tuesday while commenting on reports of sexual harassment and abuse filed in recent days against lecturers at several faculties of Zagreb University.

After the regional Me Too movement was launched on the Facebook account titled “I didn’t ask for it”, several cases of sexual harassment and abuse at several Zagreb faculties have been reported.

Some of the institutions at which the cases of sexual harassment and abuse were reported have launched certain procedures, with the dean of the Academy of Dramatic Arts, Franka Perkovic, saying that this week she would file reports with the prosecutorial authorities.

In a statement on its website, Zagreb University condemned any kind of sexual misconduct.

Asked by state agency Hina if the university would make an official statement regarding the reports and what sanctions could be expected if the allegations of sexual harassment or abuse were proved, Rector Boras replied in writing, saying that the university is and will be a place of zero tolerance to any kind of abuse.

Strong support to anyone willing to report traumatic event

Boras said that the university leadership strongly condemned any form of abuse and strongly supported and protected anyone willing to report having experienced a traumatic event.

He said that abuse or suspicion of abuse could be reported in the way prescribed by the university’s code of ethics.

For now, Zagreb University has not received any official information on any events or status of members of the academic community related to actions taken by state institutions, Boras said, adding that the public would be informed on time about any future possible actions and decisions of Zagreb University.

The university code of ethnics says, among other things, that a procedure before the ethics commission of a faculty is launched by requesting an opinion on whether certain conduct is in line with the principles and rules of the code of ethics.

The request for an opinion is submitted by a faculty dean or university rector on their own initiative or at the proposal of other bodies or members of the academic community. The request is submitted to the president of the ethics commission or, if it does not exist, to the Ethics Council.

If the request for an opinion refers to an opinion on the compliance of a dean or rector with the principles and rules of the code of ethics, the applicant can refer to the council of the faculty in question or the University Senate which decide by a majority vote of all members whether to launch a procedure before the ethical commission.