{"id":114841,"date":"2020-06-22T17:28:48","date_gmt":"2020-06-22T15:28:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=114841"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:24:58","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:24:58","slug":"metoo-can-you-intervene-after-anonymous-complaints","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2020\/06\/22\/metoo-can-you-intervene-after-anonymous-complaints\/","title":{"rendered":"#MeToo: can you intervene after anonymous complaints?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Touching, intimidation, indecent comments. It did not lead to a formal complaint at the University of Amsterdam. Can institutions of higher education take action in such cases? Three lawyers on the complications.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2018\/10\/18130404\/11142018-Table-Talk-One-Year-MeToo-optie-1.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1766139157\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-90908\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2018\/10\/18130404\/11142018-Table-Talk-One-Year-MeToo-optie-1.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1766139157 800w, https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2018\/10\/18130404\/11142018-Table-Talk-One-Year-MeToo-optie-1-300x200.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1766139157 300w, https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2018\/10\/18130404\/11142018-Table-Talk-One-Year-MeToo-optie-1-150x100.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1766139157 150w, https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2018\/10\/18130404\/11142018-Table-Talk-One-Year-MeToo-optie-1-225x150.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1766139157 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><p><span>The academic world, too, has had to deal with me-too incidents in recent years.<\/span><\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#MeToo<\/h2><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2018\/10\/11\/metooacademia-sexual-intimidation-occurs-at-universities-as-well\/\">#MeTooAcademia: \u2018Sexual intimidation occurs at universities, as well\u2019<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2020\/03\/04\/president-of-the-executive-board-clamps-down-on-racism-and-metoo\/\">President of the Executive Board clamps down on racism and #MeToo<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2020\/01\/30\/national-student-union-more-attention-is-required-for-metoo-in-higher-education\/\">National Student Union: more attention is required for #metoo in higher education<\/a><\/li><\/ul><p>Last weekend, evening newspaper NRC contained an article on a lecturer on a minor Master\u2019s programme at UvA who had demonstrated <a href=\"https:\/\/universonline.nl\/2020\/06\/15\/uva-docent-opspraak-om-aanrakingen\">unacceptable behaviour<\/a> for years: from unwanted touching and preferential treatment to nasty remarks.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fear<\/h2><p>But no-one submitted a formal complaint. The students did not dare, out of fear of harming their career. Then there is little we can do, was the initial defence from the university. The lecturer was spoken to regarding his behaviour and an investigation was initiated, but he was allowed to continue teaching.<\/p>\n<p>Now he has been <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nrc.nl\/nieuws\/2020\/06\/16\/allemaal-gedragscodes-maar-de-studenten-kunnen-geen-kant-op-a4003040\">suspended<\/a> from his teaching duties (he can only supervise theses) and the university has announced a new investigation. \u201cA culture change is needed,\u201d writes the Executive Board in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uva.nl\/content\/nieuws\/nieuwsberichten\/2020\/06\/sociale-veiligheid-topprioriteit.html?origin=C7qo0vSuQiCeMfPYaosIew\">statement<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Complicated<\/h2><p>But what about the legal position? Can the university take action without a complaint? It is complicated indeed, says Willem Bouwens, professor of employment law at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. \u201cLaw is based to a large extent on evidence,\u201d he says. In other words, if the university takes steps against the lecturer and it results in legal proceedings, then the employer must make sure there is \u201csufficient plausibility\u201d of wrongdoing.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf people do not dare log a complaint, then it is indeed possible that someone can escape punishment,\u201d says Bouwens. \u201cThe judge will not be easily satisfied by \u2018we hear all kinds of stories\u2019. The misconduct must be shown to be plausible. You could use the testimony of colleagues, but you need something.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Manoeuvring <\/h2><p>\u201cLawyers will be quick to say \u2018anyone can make up stories\u2019,\u201d responds Willeke Bezemer of the Bezemer &amp; Schubad practice. She performed an earlier investigation on behalf of UvA into a professor of employment law who was forced to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.delta.tudelft.nl\/article\/metoo-uva-hoogleraar-stapt-op\">resign<\/a> two years ago following misconduct, and knows these types of cases well. \u201cYou have to do an enormous amount of manoeuvring because the law also protects the employee. You can investigate, but eventually someone has to come forward and say \u2018this is what that person has done\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>And the dependency relationship? She recalls a case in a small religious community. The children went to a primary school where the teacher behaved improperly. However, even in that case, the judge refused to allow anonymous witnesses. \u201cI was shocked. Those children were twelve years old. But the judge believed everyone is entitled to offer a defence.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In flames<\/h2><p>Stefan Sagel, professor of employment law, sees more opportunities. He thinks that judges should definitely <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tijdschriftrechtenarbeid.nl\/column\/757-too-weak-metoo.html\">rule<\/a> more strictly in #metoo cases. There is absolutely no need for a formal complaint in order to act in these kinds of cases, in his opinion.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf you see clouds of smoke coming from your house, what do you do? To be on the safe side, you call the fire brigade to check if there is a fire. You don\u2019t have to wait until your roof is in flames,\u201d he says. If there are stories of unacceptable behaviour, he argues, then educational institutions can simply launch an investigation. \u201cIn fact, they have a duty of care to their students and employees. They should be able to study and work in a safe environment. Therefore, universities <em>must<\/em> investigate such cases.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s where it starts, he says. Whatever the outcome, you can start by checking the facts. Whether that results in a dismissal is another matter. \u201cRegardless, you cannot say \u2018there is no formal complaint, so we cannot do anything\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t<div data-name=\"acf\/persons\" class=\"mt-6 md:mt-8 lg:mt-10\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"sr-only\">De redactie<\/h2>\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"space-y-6\">\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<ul class=\"grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-2 gap-4 md:gap-8 md:items-center\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-component=\"teaser-person\" class=\"relative flex gap-4 items-center md:gap-8\">\n\n\t\t\t<span class=\"image:rounded-full image:size-20 image:aspect-square image:object-cover md:image:size-36 shrink-0\">\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"410\" height=\"410\" src=\"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/hop_logo.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1770042323\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" 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class=\"grid items-stretch grid-cols-1 gap-2 md:gap-4 lg:gap-8 text-zoom-lg:grid-cols-1\n\t\t\n\t\tlg:grid-cols-3\n\t\t\">\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<li class=\"@container\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div data-component=\"teaser-post\" class=\"block-theme-sand hidden lg:flex h-full relative flex bg-sand-300\n\tblock-theme-violet:bg-white block-theme-violet:text-purple block-theme-mocha:bg-sand-500 block-theme-mocha:text-brown\n\tblock-theme-sand:bg-sand-300 block-theme-sand:text-neutral-900\n\tblock-theme-violet:outline-purple-100 block-theme-violet:outline-1 block-theme-violet:outline-t-0\n\tflex-col @xl:flex-row\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"relative image:w-full image:aspect-video image:object-cover shrink-0 w-full @xl:w-1\/2\">\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/campusplein-VU-Vrije-Universiteit-Amsterdam-Yvonne-Compier-1280x720.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1768477891\" class=\"attachment-video_xl size-video_xl\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/campusplein-VU-Vrije-Universiteit-Amsterdam-Yvonne-Compier-1280x720.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1768477891 1280w, https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/campusplein-VU-Vrije-Universiteit-Amsterdam-Yvonne-Compier-500x282.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1768477891 500w, https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/campusplein-VU-Vrije-Universiteit-Amsterdam-Yvonne-Compier-832x468.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1768477891 832w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"flex flex-col gap-2 md:gap-4 p-4 @md:p-8 @xl:p-8 \">\n\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"text-md @sm:text-xl @md:text-2xl @xl:text-2xl\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2026\/06\/19\/taakstraf-en-voorwaardelijke-celstraf-voor-26-jarige-oprichter-vrijmoedige-studentenpartij\/\" class=\"absolute-link text-current underline-offset-2 decoration-2 hocus:underline @md:decoration-3 @xl:decoration-4 inline-block\">\n\t\t\t\tCommunity service and suspended prison sentence for founder extreme-right student party\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"flex flex-wrap gap-4 items-center\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"sr-only\">Gepubliceerd op:<\/span>\n\t\t\t<time class=\"text-sm font-soehne text-neutral-900\" datetime=\"2026-06-19\">19 June 2026<\/time>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t<ul data-component=\"list-badges\" class=\"flex items-center gap-2 flex-wrap\" aria-label=\"Geplaatst in categorie\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div data-component=\"badge\" class=\"block-theme-violet:bg-purple font-soehne font-bold text-sm bg-brown-600 block-theme-violet:bg-purple text-white py-[2px] px-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\tAt the neighbours\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div data-component=\"badge\" class=\"block-theme-violet:bg-purple font-soehne font-bold text-sm bg-brown-600 block-theme-violet:bg-purple text-white py-[2px] px-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\tIn court\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n<div data-component=\"teaser-post-small\" class=\"block-theme-sand lg:hidden relative flex h-full bg-sand-300\n\tblock-theme-violet:bg-white block-theme-violet:text-purple block-theme-mocha:bg-sand-500 block-theme-mocha:text-brown\n\tblock-theme-sand:bg-sand-300 block-theme-sand:text-neutral-900\n\tblock-theme-violet:outline-purple-100 block-theme-violet:outline-1 block-theme-violet:outline-t-0\n\ttheme-mocha:bg-white! theme-violet:bg-white! theme-sand:bg-white!\n\tflex-row gap-4 @md:gap-8 p-4 @md:p-6\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"image:w-full image:aspect-square image:object-cover shrink-0 size-17.5 @sm:size-21.25 @md:size-30 @lg:size-40\">\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"460\" height=\"307\" src=\"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/campusplein-VU-Vrije-Universiteit-Amsterdam-Yvonne-Compier.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1768477891\" class=\"attachment-square_lg size-square_lg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/campusplein-VU-Vrije-Universiteit-Amsterdam-Yvonne-Compier.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1768477891 2000w, https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/campusplein-VU-Vrije-Universiteit-Amsterdam-Yvonne-Compier-875x583.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1768477891 875w, https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/campusplein-VU-Vrije-Universiteit-Amsterdam-Yvonne-Compier-1600x1066.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1768477891 1600w, https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/campusplein-VU-Vrije-Universiteit-Amsterdam-Yvonne-Compier-300x200.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1768477891 300w, https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/campusplein-VU-Vrije-Universiteit-Amsterdam-Yvonne-Compier-1280x853.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1768477891 1280w, https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/campusplein-VU-Vrije-Universiteit-Amsterdam-Yvonne-Compier-1536x1024.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1768477891 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 460px) 100vw, 460px\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"flex flex-col gap-2 md:gap-4 \">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"text-md @lg:text-lg\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2026\/06\/19\/taakstraf-en-voorwaardelijke-celstraf-voor-26-jarige-oprichter-vrijmoedige-studentenpartij\/\" class=\"absolute-link text-current hocus:underline inline-block\">\n\t\t\t\tCommunity service and suspended prison sentence for founder extreme-right student party\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"flex flex-wrap gap-4 items-center\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"sr-only\">Gepubliceerd op:<\/span>\n\t\t\t<time class=\"text-sm font-soehne text-neutral-900\" datetime=\"2026-06-19\">19 June 2026<\/time>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t<ul data-component=\"list-badges\" class=\"flex items-center gap-2 flex-wrap\" aria-label=\"Geplaatst in categorie\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div data-component=\"badge\" class=\"block-theme-violet:bg-purple font-soehne font-bold text-sm bg-brown-600 block-theme-violet:bg-purple text-white py-[2px] px-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\tAt the neighbours\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div data-component=\"badge\" class=\"block-theme-violet:bg-purple font-soehne font-bold text-sm bg-brown-600 block-theme-violet:bg-purple text-white py-[2px] px-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\tIn court\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<li class=\"@container\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div data-component=\"teaser-post\" class=\"block-theme-sand hidden lg:flex h-full relative flex bg-sand-300\n\tblock-theme-violet:bg-white block-theme-violet:text-purple block-theme-mocha:bg-sand-500 block-theme-mocha:text-brown\n\tblock-theme-sand:bg-sand-300 block-theme-sand:text-neutral-900\n\tblock-theme-violet:outline-purple-100 block-theme-violet:outline-1 block-theme-violet:outline-t-0\n\tflex-col @xl:flex-row\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"relative image:w-full image:aspect-video image:object-cover shrink-0 w-full @xl:w-1\/2\">\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/rechtbank_Rotterdam_foto-Rechtspraak.nl--1280x720.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1781879218\" class=\"attachment-video_xl size-video_xl\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/rechtbank_Rotterdam_foto-Rechtspraak.nl--1280x720.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1781879218 1280w, https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/rechtbank_Rotterdam_foto-Rechtspraak.nl--500x282.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1781879218 500w, https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/rechtbank_Rotterdam_foto-Rechtspraak.nl--832x468.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1781879218 832w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"flex flex-col gap-2 md:gap-4 p-4 @md:p-8 @xl:p-8 \">\n\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"text-md @sm:text-xl @md:text-2xl @xl:text-2xl\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2026\/06\/19\/esl-promovendus-verliest-rechtszaak-over-gaza-brief\/\" class=\"absolute-link text-current underline-offset-2 decoration-2 hocus:underline @md:decoration-3 @xl:decoration-4 inline-block\">\n\t\t\t\tESL PhD candidate loses lawsuit over Gaza letter\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"flex flex-wrap gap-4 items-center\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"sr-only\">Gepubliceerd op:<\/span>\n\t\t\t<time class=\"text-sm font-soehne text-neutral-900\" datetime=\"2026-06-19\">19 June 2026<\/time>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t<ul data-component=\"list-badges\" class=\"flex items-center gap-2 flex-wrap\" aria-label=\"Geplaatst in categorie\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div data-component=\"badge\" class=\"block-theme-violet:bg-purple font-soehne font-bold text-sm bg-brown-600 block-theme-violet:bg-purple text-white py-[2px] px-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\tIn court\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n<div data-component=\"teaser-post-small\" class=\"block-theme-sand lg:hidden relative flex h-full bg-sand-300\n\tblock-theme-violet:bg-white block-theme-violet:text-purple block-theme-mocha:bg-sand-500 block-theme-mocha:text-brown\n\tblock-theme-sand:bg-sand-300 block-theme-sand:text-neutral-900\n\tblock-theme-violet:outline-purple-100 block-theme-violet:outline-1 block-theme-violet:outline-t-0\n\ttheme-mocha:bg-white! theme-violet:bg-white! theme-sand:bg-white!\n\tflex-row gap-4 @md:gap-8 p-4 @md:p-6\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"image:w-full image:aspect-square image:object-cover shrink-0 size-17.5 @sm:size-21.25 @md:size-30 @lg:size-40\">\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"460\" height=\"460\" src=\"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/rechtbank_Rotterdam_foto-Rechtspraak.nl--460x460.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1781879218\" class=\"attachment-square_lg size-square_lg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/rechtbank_Rotterdam_foto-Rechtspraak.nl--460x460.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1781879218 460w, https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/rechtbank_Rotterdam_foto-Rechtspraak.nl--115x115.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1781879218 115w, https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/rechtbank_Rotterdam_foto-Rechtspraak.nl--230x230.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1781879218 230w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 460px) 100vw, 460px\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"flex flex-col gap-2 md:gap-4 \">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"text-md @lg:text-lg\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2026\/06\/19\/esl-promovendus-verliest-rechtszaak-over-gaza-brief\/\" class=\"absolute-link text-current hocus:underline inline-block\">\n\t\t\t\tESL PhD candidate loses lawsuit over Gaza letter\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"flex flex-wrap gap-4 items-center\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"sr-only\">Gepubliceerd op:<\/span>\n\t\t\t<time class=\"text-sm font-soehne text-neutral-900\" datetime=\"2026-06-19\">19 June 2026<\/time>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t<ul data-component=\"list-badges\" class=\"flex items-center gap-2 flex-wrap\" aria-label=\"Geplaatst in categorie\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div data-component=\"badge\" class=\"block-theme-violet:bg-purple font-soehne font-bold text-sm bg-brown-600 block-theme-violet:bg-purple text-white py-[2px] px-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\tIn court\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<li class=\"@container\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div data-component=\"teaser-post\" class=\"block-theme-mocha hidden lg:flex h-full relative flex bg-sand-300\n\tblock-theme-violet:bg-white block-theme-violet:text-purple block-theme-mocha:bg-sand-500 block-theme-mocha:text-brown\n\tblock-theme-sand:bg-sand-300 block-theme-sand:text-neutral-900\n\tblock-theme-violet:outline-purple-100 block-theme-violet:outline-1 block-theme-violet:outline-t-0\n\tflex-col @xl:flex-row\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"relative image:w-full image:aspect-video image:object-cover shrink-0 w-full @xl:w-1\/2\">\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1018\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2023\/01\/16133853\/Impact-wetenschap-onderzoek-science-onderzoeksimpact-Josine-Henneken-scaled.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1766139310\" class=\"attachment-video_xl size-video_xl\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2023\/01\/16133853\/Impact-wetenschap-onderzoek-science-onderzoeksimpact-Josine-Henneken-scaled.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1766139310 2560w, https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2023\/01\/16133853\/Impact-wetenschap-onderzoek-science-onderzoeksimpact-Josine-Henneken-875x618.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1766139310 875w, https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2023\/01\/16133853\/Impact-wetenschap-onderzoek-science-onderzoeksimpact-Josine-Henneken-1600x1131.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1766139310 1600w, https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2023\/01\/16133853\/Impact-wetenschap-onderzoek-science-onderzoeksimpact-Josine-Henneken-300x212.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1766139310 300w, https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2023\/01\/16133853\/Impact-wetenschap-onderzoek-science-onderzoeksimpact-Josine-Henneken-1280x905.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1766139310 1280w, https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2023\/01\/16133853\/Impact-wetenschap-onderzoek-science-onderzoeksimpact-Josine-Henneken-1536x1086.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1766139310 1536w, https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2023\/01\/16133853\/Impact-wetenschap-onderzoek-science-onderzoeksimpact-Josine-Henneken-2048x1448.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1766139310 2048w, https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2023\/01\/16133853\/Impact-wetenschap-onderzoek-science-onderzoeksimpact-Josine-Henneken-150x106.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1766139310 150w, https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2023\/01\/16133853\/Impact-wetenschap-onderzoek-science-onderzoeksimpact-Josine-Henneken-225x159.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1766139310 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1018px) 100vw, 1018px\" \/>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"flex flex-col gap-2 md:gap-4 p-4 @md:p-8 @xl:p-8 \">\n\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"text-md @sm:text-xl @md:text-2xl @xl:text-2xl\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2026\/06\/17\/europa-wil-wetenschapsbudget-verdubbelen-en-eerlijker-verdelen\/\" class=\"absolute-link text-current underline-offset-2 decoration-2 hocus:underline @md:decoration-3 @xl:decoration-4 inline-block\">\n\t\t\t\tEurope wants to double science budget and distribute it more fairly\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"flex flex-wrap gap-4 items-center\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"sr-only\">Gepubliceerd op:<\/span>\n\t\t\t<time class=\"text-sm font-soehne text-neutral-900\" datetime=\"2026-06-17\">17 June 2026<\/time>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t<ul data-component=\"list-badges\" class=\"flex items-center gap-2 flex-wrap\" aria-label=\"Geplaatst in categorie\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div data-component=\"badge\" class=\"block-theme-violet:bg-purple font-soehne font-bold text-sm bg-brown-600 block-theme-violet:bg-purple text-white py-[2px] px-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\tScience\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n<div data-component=\"teaser-post-small\" class=\"block-theme-mocha lg:hidden relative flex h-full bg-sand-300\n\tblock-theme-violet:bg-white block-theme-violet:text-purple block-theme-mocha:bg-sand-500 block-theme-mocha:text-brown\n\tblock-theme-sand:bg-sand-300 block-theme-sand:text-neutral-900\n\tblock-theme-violet:outline-purple-100 block-theme-violet:outline-1 block-theme-violet:outline-t-0\n\ttheme-mocha:bg-white! theme-violet:bg-white! theme-sand:bg-white!\n\tflex-row gap-4 @md:gap-8 p-4 @md:p-6\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"image:w-full image:aspect-square image:object-cover shrink-0 size-17.5 @sm:size-21.25 @md:size-30 @lg:size-40\">\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"460\" height=\"325\" src=\"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2023\/01\/16133853\/Impact-wetenschap-onderzoek-science-onderzoeksimpact-Josine-Henneken-scaled.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1766139310\" class=\"attachment-square_lg size-square_lg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2023\/01\/16133853\/Impact-wetenschap-onderzoek-science-onderzoeksimpact-Josine-Henneken-scaled.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1766139310 2560w, https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2023\/01\/16133853\/Impact-wetenschap-onderzoek-science-onderzoeksimpact-Josine-Henneken-875x618.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1766139310 875w, https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2023\/01\/16133853\/Impact-wetenschap-onderzoek-science-onderzoeksimpact-Josine-Henneken-1600x1131.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1766139310 1600w, https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2023\/01\/16133853\/Impact-wetenschap-onderzoek-science-onderzoeksimpact-Josine-Henneken-300x212.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1766139310 300w, https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2023\/01\/16133853\/Impact-wetenschap-onderzoek-science-onderzoeksimpact-Josine-Henneken-1280x905.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1766139310 1280w, https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2023\/01\/16133853\/Impact-wetenschap-onderzoek-science-onderzoeksimpact-Josine-Henneken-1536x1086.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1766139310 1536w, https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2023\/01\/16133853\/Impact-wetenschap-onderzoek-science-onderzoeksimpact-Josine-Henneken-2048x1448.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1766139310 2048w, https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2023\/01\/16133853\/Impact-wetenschap-onderzoek-science-onderzoeksimpact-Josine-Henneken-150x106.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1766139310 150w, https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2023\/01\/16133853\/Impact-wetenschap-onderzoek-science-onderzoeksimpact-Josine-Henneken-225x159.jpg?image-crop-positioner-ts=1766139310 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 460px) 100vw, 460px\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"flex flex-col gap-2 md:gap-4 \">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"text-md @lg:text-lg\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2026\/06\/17\/europa-wil-wetenschapsbudget-verdubbelen-en-eerlijker-verdelen\/\" class=\"absolute-link text-current hocus:underline inline-block\">\n\t\t\t\tEurope wants to double science budget and distribute it more fairly\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"flex flex-wrap gap-4 items-center\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"sr-only\">Gepubliceerd op:<\/span>\n\t\t\t<time class=\"text-sm font-soehne text-neutral-900\" datetime=\"2026-06-17\">17 June 2026<\/time>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t<ul data-component=\"list-badges\" class=\"flex items-center gap-2 flex-wrap\" aria-label=\"Geplaatst in categorie\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div data-component=\"badge\" class=\"block-theme-violet:bg-purple font-soehne font-bold text-sm bg-brown-600 block-theme-violet:bg-purple text-white py-[2px] px-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\tScience\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"text-right text-brown-600\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n<a\n\tdata-variant=\"outline\"\n\tdata-size=\"default\"\n\tclass=\"group inline-flex justify-center items-center gap-2 cursor-pointer text-md font-soehne underline-offset-2 decoration-2 px-4 min-h-[3.75rem] border-2 border-current bg-transparent text-current font-bold hocus:underline w-full lg:w-auto\"\n\n\t\n\t\t\thref=\"\"\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t>\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<span data-button-text class=\"\">\n\t\t\tAll articles\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\" flex items-center justify-center w-[1em] h-[1em] icon  \" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" width=\"20\" height=\"17\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 17\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<path d=\"M18.25 7.5C18.8023 7.5 19.25 7.94772 19.25 8.5C19.25 9.05228 18.8023 9.5 18.25 9.5H1.75C1.19772 9.5 0.75 9.05228 0.75 8.5C0.75 7.94772 1.19772 7.5 1.75 7.5H18.25Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<path d=\"M10.793 1.04295C11.1835 0.65243 11.8165 0.65243 12.207 1.04295L18.957 7.79295C19.3476 8.18348 19.3476 8.81649 18.957 9.20702L12.207 15.957C11.8165 16.3475 11.1835 16.3475 10.793 15.957C10.4024 15.5665 10.4024 14.9335 10.793 14.543L16.8359 8.49999L10.793 2.45702C10.4024 2.06649 10.4024 1.43348 10.793 1.04295Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<\/svg>\n\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Touching, intimidation, indecent comments. It did not lead to a formal complaint at the University of Amsterdam. Can institutions of higher education take action in such cases? Three lawyers on the complications. #MeToo Last weekend, evening newspaper NRC contained an article on a lecturer on a minor Master\u2019s programme at UvA who had demonstrated unacceptable [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":190,"featured_media":90908,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_trash_the_other_posts":false,"editor_notices":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[20967],"em_content_type":[],"class_list":["post-114841","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-safety"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>#MeToo: can you intervene after anonymous complaints?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Last weekend, newspaper NRC wrote about an UvA-lecturer who had demonstrated unacceptable behavior for years. No-one submitted a formal complaint. What can institutions of higher education do? Three lawyers explain.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2020\/06\/22\/metoo-can-you-intervene-after-anonymous-complaints\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"#MeToo: can you intervene after anonymous complaints?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Last weekend, newspaper NRC wrote about an UvA-lecturer who had demonstrated unacceptable behavior for years. No-one submitted a formal complaint. What can institutions of higher education do? 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