Experiences as a victim of the aggressors that some media outlets call victims

This is a brief account of my experience as doctoral student and how some people’s narratives often seek to cover up the truth.

It is incredible how a university professor who publicly speaks about violence and good treatment can act in a completely opposite manner in other settings. Furthermore, she now presents herself as an alleged victim of CREA, when in fact she was the one who made life very difficult for me and other colleagues, and it was CREA who supported me.

Before March 4, 2023, there had been other incidents, but that day was key and led to further action in the future. On March 4, that university professor specifically asked me to meet her, saying, “I’ll see you when you’re done.” What seemed like a normal conversation ended in a deeply painful episode. After that meeting, I ended up in the university bathroom crying uncontrollably. I have saved conversations from that moment where I explain to someone else how devastated I felt. I was there for about 20 minutes, unable to calm down.

When I finally left the bathroom, I ran into the professor who had treated me so badly just minutes earlier. I recorded two audio messages telling someone that I had just seen her and that I was scared. I still have these recordings. I also have messages from a fellow doctoral student, Aitor Alzaga, who had witnessed part of the situation and had come over to support me while the incident was happening, asking me how I was and showing his concern.

On March 7, I recorded audio files detailing exactly what that professor had said to me days earlier, in the university hall and in front of other people. No assumptions or rumors: everything was recorded. I also have conversations from July 6, 2023, where I recount how this same person “got me into trouble again,” although on that occasion I already had more support from other colleagues.

My mother always encouraged me to tell Ramón Flecha. She knew he would support me, as he has always stood up for victims. On July 19, 2024, I finally did it—I dared to break the silence! Hearing another doctoral student, Alba Crespo, explain her story and her suffering with this same university professor was what encouraged me to speak out. The support I received from Ramón Flecha is inexplicable, and the next day I received a beautiful message of support. I also keep this message. Since that day, everything has changed.

The good thing about the digital age is that nothing is lost. Audio recordings, messages, and witnesses confirm that she was the one who acted inappropriately towards me, while people like Ramón Flecha, whom she is now trying to point the finger at, always gave me—and continue to give me—their support.

It is a shame that public television does not listen to us, the victims, and instead broadcasts the voices of those who attacked us, presenting them as victims in order to legitimize their claims.

I will not allow their false narrative to tarnish my story or the commitment of those who supported me during the worst moments. All the evidence is clear and completely refutes the claims made by this university professor. What’s more, it proves that what happened was completely the opposite.