Singapore – The mother of Monica Baey, a National University of Singapore (NUS) student who was filmed by a pervert while taking a shower on campus, has spoken up and said that her trust in the university had been broken.
Mary Baey expressed her disappointment on the university’s decision to merely suspend and warn the perpetrator Nicholas Lim. She noted that his suspension was even used to get a part-time job.
Mrs Baey went on to ask why there is still a lack of university policies that protect students from sexual harassment. She also conveyed her full support for Monica, despite “being let down” by the police and NUS.
Read the full Facebook comment below:
“Monica is my daughter and when I first learned from her about this incident that happened at NUS campus, I was shocked. She informed me that she reported to NUS and the Police and we were all waiting for the outcome of this case.
After 2 months of investigation, the police only gave a 12 month’s conditional warning which is completely ridiculous. What this means is, the police are giving him a slap on his hand and say don’t do it again within 12 months.
How can we know this is not going to happen again and how can there be no serious consequences for such action?
On NUS CCTV, the perpetrator was seen going from toilet to toilet to look for his victim, this is a person who knows exactly what he is doing, and the actual video is found on his hand phone. For NUS to let him off so lightly with an absurd and pathetic apology and a suspension of a semester (which he conveniently got a job during his suspended period).
He will be back to NUS as per normal with no consequences. All he is not allowed is to attend classes. This is completely unacceptable.
We, as parents, trust NUS to provide a safe and secure place for student to live and to protect them from such incidences. I was given to understand that this is not the first case, there has been many cases, some reported to NUS and some that went unreported.
How can we place our trust in NUS, a National and International institution? This trust is now broken.
What my daughter has done by going to social media is a brave thing and I am very proud of her. Clearly, she did not have the support from Spore Police or NUS. She is very clear that she is seeking redress for what has happened to her. She has been traumatized by this incident and still must accept NUS’s decision that she has to deal with it.
We need to see that NUS will take strong action for such incidences and have clear campus policies that will protect female students against such sexual harassment. NUS have also not taken any additional security for the communal bathing areas for the female students. No professional victim support is in place.
Monica have told me she is not out for revenge; she is out for justice and prevention that this will not happen again as she feels that she has been let down both by the police and especially NUS.
Mum & Dad will be there to support you and you have been courageous in speaking out on this matter.”
On April 20, NUS released a statement apologizing for the “distressing” experience of Monica and that a special committee will be convened to address the incident. The statement was not pleasantly received by members of the public who continue to comment on the post.
A certain Daryl Yang gave an update that a town hall meeting will be organized later this week./TISG
