After the marches carried out by dozens of students from the Dillon school in Quito, in support of her partner who suffered sexual abuse on a school bus, the Minister of Education María Brown acknowledged that the authorities of the educational institution did not fully comply with the protocol which was appropriate in this case.
Around 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26, Brown offered a press conference in which he mentioned details of the anomalies detected and announced that, due to these faults, the resignation of the rector of the establishment, who is now going through a investigation and evaluation process.
The minister pointed out that it was possible to verify that although the authorities of the educational institution complied with the ordinary process of delivering a copy of the complaint made to the Prosecutor’s Office and presented the report prepared by the Department of Student Counseling (DECE), “it had not necessarily been fully complied with the protocol.
“The standards of respect, empathy, and solidarity that this type of case demands were not met. Here we have to analyze not only that the administrative processes have been complied with, but also that the integrity and, above all in this case, the socio-emotional well-being of the victims are safeguarded and cared for,” Brown pointed out.
‘We want justice!’, the cry of students who marched for alleged abuse against a classmate; Ministry of Education defends its actions
He said he spoke directly with the mother of the attacked teenager. In addition, meetings have been held with the students of the school, with teachers and other parents. That the undersecretary of the Metropolitan District of Quito, Enrique Pérez, participated in the mobilizations organized by the youth.
The Secretary of State indicated that after reviewing the proceedings, it was determined “that immediate and permanent psychological support was not provided to the victim and her family,” despite the fact that it is a fundamental element in these situations.
Another fault incurred was that the corresponding accompaniment was not given to the relatives when they went, together with the Police, to present the complaint to the Prosecutor’s Office. “This process was not accompanied by the educational institution or the educational district as appropriate,” said the official.
A third flaw in the procedure applied was that “an active listening space was not created” for both the relatives and the students who were on the school bus where the violation occurred.
Prosecutor’s Office investigates case of alleged abuse of a teenager in express, in Quito
“We see that these secondary victims (the students) did not receive that emotional support,” said the Minister and added that although the students met with the school authority, they were not given due attention, but rather were directed to respond with certain information in case questions arose about what happened.
Brown criticized this behavior. “We reject all kinds of actions that have sought to hide the facts,” he said. In addition, he disclosed that it was discovered that maintaining the image of the school was prioritized over the well-being of the victim and the students.
Finally, the authorities of the institution wanted to sanction the students who took to the streets to demonstrate peacefully in support of their partner.
The minister explained that the rector of the campus, once she left office, will not be relocated to another educational institution while investigations into her actions are carried out. (I)
Source: Eluniverso
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