Moroccan Lecturers Charged for Sexually Harassing Students

Four lecturers at Hassan I University in Settat, Morocco have appeared in court for allegedly sexually harrassing female students.

In September, inappropriate messages between the accused lecturers and students were leaked onto social media, whereby the former promises to give the latter better grades in exchange for sexual favours.

Appearing before a Settat judge in court on Tuesday, 7 December, the defendants were charged with “incitement to debauchery”, gender discrimination and violence against women. Three of them are currently being held in detention.

Meanwhile, a fifth lecturer faces charges of indecent assault and battery in connection to the scandal.

Per reports, sexual harassment is widespread in conservative Morocco, although it is very rare for a case to be brought to court. Also, women are said to be reluctant to report sexual violence as it ran result in damage to their family reputations, or result in reprisals.

The lecturers’ trial has been adjourned until 14 December.