Bulletin No. 1, 2011

A Caring Campus   9  about physical intimacy and more self-centred in their interpretation of individual freedom and rights. Since their primary school years, youngsters are bombarded with messages encouraging indulgence in personal desires by the mass media and the commercial sector, and there isn’t enough moral education to counter the effect. This creates problems when they enter university where increased freedom puts self-discipline to the test.’ Sexual harassment essentially boils down to a person’s values about sex and power, and these vary among cultures. These differences are taken very seriously by the University which has staff and students from all over the world who may hold very different values. ‘Do not take anything for granted. Observe how people from other cultures behave, consider how they would react to our actions, and take care to never cross their “bottom-lines”. A pat on the shoulder, a risqué joke, comments about people’s figures, and viewing sexual content on the computer when someone’s around can all constitute sexual harassment. We have to stay on high alert at all times,’ advises Professor Ngai. The committee has seen perceptions of what constitutes sexual harassment evolve. For example, we used to think that sexual harassment happens only between opposite genders with the female being the victim. But with the emergence of cases that indicate otherwise, the term now covers same-gender harassment and females harassing males. If it ever happens to us in whatever form, we should speak our minds loudly and firmly. ‘Don’t be afraid to express refusal. The committee has been repeatedly telling every university member that he or she has the right to say ‘no’. Don’t suffer sexual harassment in silence. The University does not condone any such acts. All cases reported will be handled fairly and equally,’ reassures Professor Ngai.