It seems the pressure from past and present students together with like-minded Singaporeans has led the National University of Singapore (NUS) to finally come to its senses.
More than six months after the incident where third-year communications and new media undergraduate Monica Baey was filmed showering by a male student, the prestigious university has apologized for not providing enough support to her.
"We are sorry that she had to surface her concerns on social media for the university to take notice.
"We fell short in providing her with support from the start, and we apologise. We hope to set things right. NUS does not condone nor tolerate any form of sexual misconduct on our campuses, and we will take a hard stand on unacceptable behaviour to keep our students safe," NUS president Tan Eng Chye says, according to the Straits Times.
Last week, Monica had revealed her displeasure on Instagram that the punishment meted out to the male student was not severe.
The student was given a warning by the police, suspended for one semester and not allowed entry to halls and residences while made to attend counselling.
However, many, including Monica, felt the punishment did not justify the crime that the student had committed.
With online petitions making its rounds, an urban farming company, OnHand Agrarian, also decided to cut ties with NUS. The company had shared Monica's Instagram story to make its stand.
While it is unclear if Monica has accepted the apology, the larger question is if the male student would be meted out heavier punishment.
