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alexk
Guest
An investigation has been launched into an incident in which two University of the West Indies (UWI) students were taped while engaging in a sex act in a classroom in one of the main buildings at the St Augustine campus. Passing students who could clearly see the pair from a pathway to other areas of the campus videotaped the act and it was subsequently posted on social media.
The two students were engaged in sexual intercourse in a classroom at the Learning Resource Centre, but they were clearly visible, through a window, to passersby outside from a walkway. In the video, passing students could be seen commenting and laughing at the act, with some of them stopping to film it on their cell phone cameras.
In an immediate response to the video, which was posted yesterday, a university lecturer who wished not to be identified sent out a stern warning to students.
“Consider your actions, life is worth more than a moment’s pleasure,” the lecturer told the T&T Guardian.
“Students must think about their actions and remember that the university is a place to prepare them academically for a bright future.”
The lecturer said at the tertiary level they deal with young adults who are easily sexually aroused but reminded that having sex in public spaces is illegal under the law—Indecent Exposure of the Person under Section 7 of the Criminal Offences Act Chapter 11:01. That act dates back to 1844 and makes the common law UK offence of indecent exposure an indictable offence in T&T.
“But what is a greater concern is sexual responsibility. The use of protection to avoid unwanted pregnancy or contracting a sexually transmitted disease may be considered,” the lecturer said.
The video caused widespread debate, some of which pointed out that such acts had been happening at the university over the years and was a norm.
“It has been going on for years...is just that some idiot decided to take a video ‘which apparently is the in thing nowadays’ so calm down,” one social media user posted in response to the video.
When contacted for comment yesterday, UWI Guild of Students president Darrion Narine took the opportunity to remind students and staff to maintain a level of respect.
“Respect for the laws of the land, respect for rules, regulations and respect for their fellow colleagues on campus as well as the institution in which they operate and study,” Narine said.
He assured that the Guild “will be working with the administration, to get to the bottom of this.”
Contacted yesterday, UWI St Augustine Campus Principal, Professor Brian Copeland said they were aware of the incident and were “looking into it”.
Asked how a situation like this or of similar nature is handled by the university, Copeland said it all depends on “who it is and what it was.”
“We want to appreciate that it is young people we are dealing with but whatever comes up in our fact-finding mission, we will treat with it accordingly,” Copeland said.
Attorney Jonathan Bhagan said whilst it is “a morally reprehensible act,” he believes “restorative justice” should be looked at and “the perpetrators made to apologise to the public and do community service to repair the image of UWI which they helped tarnish”.
Efforts to contact Minister of Education Anthony Garcia were unsuccessful.