Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

Coming out of a nine-hour-long meeting on Tuesday, the Board of Management at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts is promising a zero-tolerance approach to sexual and other forms of violence. 

The meeting came in light of a Sunday Gleaner exposé and subsequent reports of allegations of sexual harassment and assault implicating at least two male lecturers at the institution.

READ: College #MeToo - Victims expose Edna Manley sexual harassment cover-up [1]

READ: Lecturer says Edna Manley’s sex predator affected hundreds [2]

READ: Edna Manley controversy deepens as more victims speak out [3]

The issue has affected morale at the St Andrew-based fine arts institution. 

"The Board of Management is currently investigating the allegations of sexual harassment,” a spokesperson said in a statement posted on social media.

"Students are assured of a safe space to lodge their complaints yourconcerns@emc.edu.jm [4]."

The spokesperson said the institution is committed to the safety and well-being of its students and staff and aims to maintain a workplace and learning environment free of sexual harassment and all forms of violence.

The school’s statement came amid a petition launched by advocate Alisa Hinds seeking the intervention of the Office of the Prime Minister to have at least one offending teacher removed.

A number of past students have also launched social media petitions encouraging their peers to name their alleged perpetrators.

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