The feudal university, based on power relations, the law of silence, contacts and connections, often prevents the victims from becoming survivors and advancing in the academic career. The reprisals suffered by the victims of gender violence usually result in them being excluded from research projects, from the evaluation for positions, be ignored in meetings, branded as “conflictive”, etc.; with the aim of isolating them from academic life, to silence them, and thus covering up internal sexual harassment.
However, the arrival of meritocracy opened a window of opportunity for those who, having been victims of sexual harassment at university, have been able to see their merits recognized by gaining access to university teaching staff accreditations. Thus, they have not only become survivors, but also have had professional success, accessing accreditations that, sometimes, the same feudal university professors that are so opposed to meritocracy did not achieve.
In this way, more people could also be freed from having to position themselves with those who perpetuate either direct harassment or isolating gender violence towards those who defend the victims. In so doing, the support for the victims would be even more generalized and thus, sexual harassment is being overcome in view of the free universities that we imagine.
