By Ashley Sablan
For Triton’s Call
The University of Guam opened a new telephone helpline that now allows both students and faculty to phone in allegations of sexual misconduct more easily at their own discretion.
The line opened on Tuesday, Feb. 9, as just one of the recent measures the university has taken to curb campus-related sexual harassment.
According to UOG’s Institutional Compliance Officer, Elaine Faculo-Gogue, all calls should strictly be made to report incidents of improper sexual behavior directly related to the University’s workplace, educational programs, activities, or service. This may mean reports of sexual harassment or assault, stalking, dating violence, domestic violence, or inappropriate amorous relationships.
The helpline can be reached at 735-4357 weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Voicemails can be left after hours, to which UOG will respond the following business day.
All calls will be handled by Faculo-Gogue. Along with details of an alleged incident, she might also ask callers for basic information, such as their name and contact number. However, she assured all calls would be kept confidential, and if a caller insists, he or she may opt to remain anonymous.
Faculo-Gogue also assured that every caller would be asked whether or not he or she would like to contact the police immediately, and if so, the helpline will proceed with calling the Guam Police Department. Information will then be reviewed and assessed, and the investigation process to determine the validity of the complaint will begin.
“If corrective action is warranted, appropriate measures will be taken to address the complaint promptly,” said Faculo-Gogue.
Raising student awareness
Giana Escamilla is a UOG student who also works at the Campus Café located in the School of Business and Public Administration building. As both a student and employee, Escamilla said she feels safer now that she knows who to call.
“Having [the helpline] is reassuring because I spend so much time on campus, and now I know who to talk to if anything ever happened,” said Escamilla, adding, “Before, I never actually knew who it was we were supposed to speak to in that situation.”
This was also true for Thovie Gonzales, who has been a student at the University for three years.
“I didn’t even know there was a new helpline,” he said. “But I believe the best way to address the issue of sexual harassment is to start a conversation about it, and the helpline is a start. I also feel both students and teachers can sometimes be oblivious to what sexual assault really is, so I think it’s an appropriate, moderate response to the Ehlert incident,” said Gonzales.
In Oct. 2014, Michael B. Ehlert, Ph.D., a UOG psychology associate professor, was accused of making unwanted sexual advances on two students during an off-campus activity.
In January, he was charged with third- and fourth- degree criminal sexual conduct and official misconduct to which he plead not guilty. He has been on administrative leave since Dec. 2014.