Tonight, the University of Belize has dismissed Assistant Professor, Dr Pio. Saqui after credible complaints of sexual harassment against female students emerged in April.
An Ad Hoc committee considered complaints made by 10 female students which showed a pattern of what their report calls "inappropriate, sexualized, and non-consensual conduct by Dr. Saqui toward multiple students, all of whom were under his academic supervision."
The Ad Hoc. Committee concluded that the behaviors alleged "constitute serious breaches of the University's internal policies and professional standards."
A release says, quote, "the University concluded that the conduct constituted gross misconduct...as a result, the University of Belize has taken the decision to terminate the employment of (Dr Saqui) with immediate effect.
The allegations taken to the Committee were that the students complained of unwanted touching, repeated requests for hugs and physical contact despite visible discomfort and refusal and creating an environment where students felt pressured to tolerate his behavior due to fear of academic retaliation. Dr Saqui denied the allegations and characterized them as misunderstandings and mischaracterizations.
