Sexual harassment in Carinthian civil service: third trial day imminent
Proceedings are underway before Klagenfurt Regional Court over sexual harassment of apprentices in the office of the Carinthian state government, entering its third round.
Second hearing day in Klagenfurt leaves open questions
According to the Kleine Zeitung, a former apprenticeship trainer at the office of the Carinthian state government is being tried alongside a former apprenticeship officer for sexual harassment and abuse of office. The allegations include unwanted shoulder massages, thigh contact in a car, suggestive remarks about the sex lives of young apprentices, and an obscene "Easter gift" – a penis arrangement made from a cucumber, eggs and sweets, which is said to have been placed on desks in the department.
At the first trial day, both defendants had pleaded not guilty. However, in the course of the hearing, the former trainer admitted to "boundary-crossing remarks" and apologised for them. The apprenticeship officer, who has since been assigned other duties, continued to maintain her innocence.
Witnesses claimed to have noticed little
The second hearing day on Friday produced troubling testimony. Several employees stated in the witness box that they had scarcely noticed any of the incidents. The designated contact person for female apprentices in the department contradicted the victim, whose report had set the case in motion: the young woman had never reported problems with the defendant to her. Two employees stated they had each once admonished the defendant for suggestive questions – however, according to the guidelines on sexual harassment, the matter should have been reported to superiors. This did not happen.
One witness described the defendant's manner of speech as "football language", but could not coherently explain what he meant by that. When asked by the public prosecutor whether the defendant was known for speaking in "sexually loaded" terms, one witness replied reluctantly: "Perhaps now and then" – before immediately suggesting that such a tone had been widespread in the department generally.
Personnel manager under pressure
Public prosecutor Barbara Baum questioned the state's personnel manager about why the accused apprenticeship officer had only been assigned to a new area of responsibility four months after the office was notified of ongoing investigations into abuse of office – and only upon the filing of charges. The personnel manager shrugged in response: "There are investigations from time to time", but admitted that in future matters could be handled more quickly.
He also had difficulty justifying the fact that the affected apprentices were transferred immediately after the allegations became known. The relevant guidelines expressly provide that victims must not suffer any disadvantage.
Judgment possible at third hearing day
At the next hearing, further witnesses are to be heard first. Additionally, confrontational examination of the victim who filed the report is scheduled. After that, a judgment in the matter could be delivered according to the current procedural status.
Source: Kleine Zeitung