Rape and other forms of sexual assault and harassment are grave crimes with long term consequences to the victim. Any complaint on sexual violence and violations must be seriously and thoroughly investigated at once.
The alleged sexual violation committed against a young fellow by the keynote speaker and panelist during the 26th Iligan National Writer’s Workshop (IINW) needs to be investigated expediently. Given that it transpired during a workshop, which is sponsored by the National Commission for Culture and Arts and managed by the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, it is incumbent upon these government institutions to exercise responsibility in ensuring that the truth about the incident is immediately uncovered so that accountability may be exacted if merited. Impunity must not be allowed to thrive especially in a writers’ community, which is held with high esteem for their intellectual, cultural, and even political influence in the society.
It is deeply concerning that the initial statement of one of the workshop organizers, Mindanao Creative Writers Group, Inc. (MCWG), dismissed the complaint of the young fellow as a “private matter” while disclosing her name and making the alleged aggressor anonymous. Trivializing the serious grievance to a “private matter” contribute to the culture of silence that perpetuate misogyny and enable impunity.
As primary duty-bearer, government institutions and its representatives must ensure that workshops or any activity they conduct and/or sponsor are safe spaces especially for women and other vulnerable individuals. If there is an allegation of sexual violence in the context of such activity, it is expected that the organizers take immediate steps to get to the bottom of the allegation and demonstrate readiness to assist the alleged aggrieved party.
Eradicating rape culture is a shared responsibility. Government agencies, academic institutions, and writers community — three groups that have a role in the said workshop — are expected to be among the front liners in working for a society free of gender violence. Let us work together to resolve this serious case to its just resolution. CHR will also launch an investigation to ensure that no stone is left unturned and a just closure is reached.