The anniversary of the disappearance of waitress Carmen Fernandez, aboard the ship Garcia del Cid of CSICa year ago a few kilometers from the Valencian coast, provoked a cascade of memories and reactions, among which that of the Higher Council for Scientific Research itself, which defended its management of the case and valued its protocol against sexual harassment within the institution.
In an internal note, to which he had access ABCrecalls the sadness and grief experienced after Carmen disappeared on September 10, 2023 while working as a waitress on one of her university ships. “She is still missing and There are not enough words to describe the sadness and pain we feel.“, declares the CSIC.
Regarding his actions in the face of a strange disappearance linked to a complaint filed by sexual harassment By another member of the crew, the institution recounts the roadmap it has followed since learning this tragic news, a period during which it preferred not to make any public statement and chose to remain cautious while awaiting the conclusions of the investigation carried out by the State. Forces and security organs and the judicial resolutions on “a particularly complex case.”
“We have always believed that we had to preserve the privacy of our colleague and his family and ensure compliance with the legal obligation of confidentiality,” he stressed in the internal letter, in which he acknowledged having collaborated with the authorities and responded to parliamentary questions that were raised, explaining the details of the case.
In November 2019, after the missing woman filed a complaint with the CSIC, her Commission against sexual harassment decided to investigate the case. Following these investigations, he requested his transfer to the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the opening of a disciplinary file against another member of García del Cid’s crew.
In June 2020, the judge of the Court of First Instance and Investigation No. 2 of Marín issued an order of dismissal whose content implied that the CSIC should abandon the harassment case. Thus, the institution claims that after Carmen’s disappearance in September 2023, the Civil Guard was responsible for investigating the entire case. A few months later, Court No. 3 of Gandía filed a criminal complaint and the decision was subsequently ratified by the Provincial Court of Valencia.
Protocol against sexual harassment
In reference to the case, the CSIC is taking advantage of its internal communication to highlight the protocols for prevention and intervention against sexual harassment, updated this year, among which are modifications such as: obligation to report possible situations of harassment which are reported by middle managers and equality committees in order to avoid possible under-reporting of cases in an organization of the size and degree of decentralization of the CSIC; the creation of the Commissioner’s Unit responsible for promoting a healthy and safe work environment – the selection process for the position is underway and several interviews have been conducted with candidates; the possibility of continuing the administrative route in the investigation and sanction even if the judicial route is exhausted or the inclusion of specific measures in unique locations that involve prolonged coexistence, such as ships or cyberbullying situations.
Over the past five years and until December 2023, the CSIC confirms having activated the sexual harassment complaint protocol up to twelve occasions“Even the best policies to combat gender violence are not capable of completely eliminating this structural problem in our society, which has historically devalued women. That is why ending harassment is not an easy task,” the High Council defends.
