UB Issues Release on Sexual Harassment Scandal

On Wednesday night, we reported the shocking news that a UB lecturer, Doctor Pio Saqui, has been placed on administrative leave while investigations are conducted into multiple allegations of sexual offenses. Docotr Saqui has been accused of committing these offenses against students over the past decade. Today, the University of Belize announced that several students have reported sexual harassment by a university lecturer, whose name has not been disclosed. The university is taking these allegations seriously and is following its established policies and procedures. The lecturer has been placed on administrative leave, and a full investigation is underway. The disciplinary committee will review the case. On our Wednesday night newscast, we reported that the allegations against Doctor Pio Saqui date back to when William Neal was Dean of Student Affairs. News Five has learned that Neal did not stay silent and reported the allegations to the higher-ups at the institution. However, one victim chose to withdraw her claim, wanting to move on. Today, former UB Student Government President Eric Sanchez told News Five that sexual misconduct allegations have been common at the university since he was there in 2010.

 

Eric Sanchez, Former President, U.B Student Government

“There were several accusations made by numerous students at that time, all females against numerous lecturers – I think three lecturers at the university at that time that then led to a flyer being circulated throughout the university in 2010, 2011, thereabout. The flyer made accusations of sexual harassment upon these three individuals as I was serving as the student body president. I then told them that I do believe that this needed to be investigated further because of accusations that myself had heard from some students. Students who, to this point, have not come out forward with the accusation, at least that I’ve seen. and for me, I believe that. The explanation at that point, if I can recall correctly, was that they’ve been in, they’ve been investigations. But when it came to the point of a formal complaint being lodged, that’s when there was some apprehension, reasonable apprehension, because there was no system in place at that time or maybe even now to protect the student and there was a fear of repercussion. A victimization by individuals who were being accused of these acts. My recollection is that the university made mention in that meeting that without formal legal complaint being, being made. There was little that they could do that would not that would allow them under their processes to act a point, but I also think that the students did not feel comfortable going through a legal process or be named because I think you have to be in front of your accuser or your accuser has to know who you are for it to be a legal challenge. But because there is no system in place to protect these victims, there was a fear and a reasonable fear that they didn’t want to come forward.”