Ateneo de Naga University’s Office of Student Affairs (OSA) and the Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI) took their commitment to fostering safe spaces to the next level with a groundbreaking seminar-workshop and planning session for student organizations. Titled “Safe and Inclusive ADNU: A Seminar-Workshop on Cultivating Safe Spaces,” this whole-day event took place on October 14, 2023, at the Arrupe Convention Hall.
This seminar-workshop is a continuation of OSA’s Student Rights and Responsibility Campaign, intended to foster a safe and inclusive environment for students. Particularly, the activity aimed at discussing the salient provisions of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 (RA 7877) and the Safe Spaces Act (RA 11313), sharing preventive tips on cultivating safe spaces in the school setting, and providing an opportunity for conversation and action planning in establishing and maintaining a sexual harassment-free school environment.
Sixty-seven student leaders of the thirty-six recognized student organizations of ADNU attended the event. In his opening remarks, Fr. Robert Exequiel N. Rivera, S.J., the University President, emphasized the Ateneo community’s commitment to make the school a safe space for everyone.
Prosec. Antonette Majella Sumayao-Nacor, Senior Assistant City Prosecutor of the Naga City Prosecution Office was the first speaker. She talked about the key provisions of RA 7877 and RA 11313. She emphasized the need for the public, including the schools, to be aware of these laws. She also gave advice on what to do if the students are confronted with situations concerning possible violation of these laws.
After her talk, the host Maria Josephine Reyes, Program Officer for Student Activities and Student Organizations of OSA, facilitated the open forum. Participants flooded the speaker with questions, which she generously responded to.
The second speaker, Rodolfo “Sonny” SB. Virtus, Director of Student Affairs and the Chairperson of the Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI), provided some foundational principles in cultivating safe spaces in the school setting. He shared guidelines and tips on how to handle sexual harassment incidents, and preventive measures. He invited the student leaders to take part in the advocacy of promoting safe spaces, by establishing their own protocols in their respective organizations and being conscious of the safety of their members. He ended his talk by sharing a planning template which can be used by the student organizations in helping the university promote safe spaces.
After the talk of the speakers, a processing session was conducted. Thea Pramis, Director of the Campus Ministry Office, facilitated the individual reflection, spiritual group conversation, and plenary sharing of the participants. From the sharing, the participants affirmed the relevance of having a safe space in the school.
OSA will continue this effort in advocating a safe and inclusive environment. The next activity will be the meeting of student organizations and presentation of the summary of their outputs on cultivating safe spaces, from their respective planning.
Written by Janice Tresvalles
