#HijaAko outs predatory teachers in all-girls schools

• June 26, 2020

#MCHSDoBetter trends in twitter and calls out predatory behavior from male faculty.

The #MCHSDoBetter hashtag went trending on Twitter last June 24, 2020, and hundreds of people fled with rage to expose predatory teachers in their schools. This is tied to the #HijaAko movement which spiked up last week. The hashtag came from the heated conversation between Frankie Pangilinan and Ben Tulfo on Twitter. Frankie junked the idea that the clothes women wear is what causes men to rape them. She said, “STOP TEACHING GIRLS HOW TO DRESS?? TEACH PEOPLE NOT TO RAPE”. Ben Tulfo responded to this by saying “Hija, a rapist or a juvenile sex offender’s desire to commit a crime will always be there … You are inviting the beast”. Since then, this tweet exchange has led to the revelation of hundreds of stories on rape culture, sexual harassment, victim blaming, and now predatory cases in schools. You can read more by searching #HijaAko on any social media.

Thousands of people have spoken up about their own experiences. One is an alumna from Miriam College High School who spoke up about instances of predatory behavior and manipulation from the school’s faculty members. Inspired by her story, numerous women from the same institution have also come forward to share their own experiences. The trending hashtag #MCHSDoBetter has then exposed experiences on similar stories. This also include cases of sexual harassment, discrimination on gender, and unethical rules of the institution.

#HijaAko Movement has led to many others exposing the harsh stories from their own institutions.

These stories are not unique to the all-girls school in Katipunan. They are also trending in other schools in the country. Other hashtags include #STCDOBETTER (St. Theresa’s College), #SPCPSQUAREUP (St. Paul College Pasig), and #MARISCIDOBETTER (Marikina Science High School). Although more and more are speaking up on stories of sexual harassment and gender imbalance because of the #HijaAko movement, these are not entirely new. In fact, ask people about their own schools and they’ll reveal similar stories. Now more than ever, it should enrage people that such disgusting instances still occur in schools. Schools should always be a safe space for learning.

What’s even worse is that cases of such misconduct are not handled efficiently by administrators of institutions. Oftentimes, the best that could happen in response to the incidents is for attackers to get dismissed. However, there are numerous cases where perpetrators are still protected by their institutions. It’s high time that we demand for a just response from such institutions, because the safety of our students and children are being threatened. This is exactly why #MCHSDoBetter and other similar hashtags went trending. People are now demanding accountability and change.

Yesterday, June 25, the President of Miriam College has addressed the Twitter messages on the inappropriate behavior of a few of their male staff. The statement focused on Miriam’s commitment to truth and restorative justice. The president said that investigations have been initiated regarding the reports. It assured that appropriate steps will be taken to resolve the situation. It also stated that “Miriam College will do better” and “will continue to produce graduates who are empowered not for themselves alone, but so they could help the powerless”. Students and alumni have expressed their solidarity with the institution. However, most are still demanding for more concrete plans and visible justice. No apology to the student body and to those directly affected were expressed in the statement.

Just this afternoon, Miriam has released yet another statement on the issue at hand. Their claim is that Miriam College will do better. They clearly stated that the institution denounces any form of sexual harassment. They’ve also created an independent institutional committee to respond to the reported incidents of sexual harassment committed by teachers on their students. They gave instructions in their website on how and when to submit official reports so that due process could be achieved through an impartial and objective proceeding. We have yet to receive news on the response of other institutions called out by their respective hashtags.

Students and alumni are taking matters at their own hands.

Despite these initiatives by Miriam College, students and alumni have began their own petition to revoke the teaching licenses of the teachers who’ve committed sexually predatory behavior. Upon writing this article, more than 4,700 have now signed the petition. Signatories are not only those who have roots in the institution, but as well as many other people who have expressed their anger on what’s been going on.

The problem at hand is a systemic issue that occurs in many other institutions.

Certainly, the cases shared by the hundreds of girls on social media have opened the eyes of many on such brutal incidents of today. What’s happening in Miriam College is not an isolated incident, but is an oppressive social structure that lurk in many other institutions. The relationship of students and teachers is one vulnerable to power imbalances. People in positions of power easily feel that they could get away with anything they do. Now, this unchecked system is being exposed by brave women and people who’re sick of the system.