No evidence of wrong doing by former UTAS vice-chancellor Peter Rathjen during his tenure, says Rufus Black

UTAS Vice Chancellor Rufus Black has spoken out about former vice-chancellor Peter Rathjen’s tenure, after an Independent Commission Against Corruption investigation found him guilty of groping two female staff. DETAILS >>

• Adelaide University’s former vice-chancellor Peter Rathjen groped staff, ICAC finds
• Historian Ian McFarlane has lashed out at University of Tasmania Vice-Chancellor Rufus Black

THERE is currently no evidence of sexual harassment or sexual assault involving Professor Peter Rathjen during his tenure at the University of Tasmania, says the current Vice Chancellor.

Former Adelaide University and UTAS vice-chancellor Peter Rathjen has been investigated over sexual misconduct allegations from his time at Melbourne University in addition to his misconduct at Adelaide University.

In a damning public statement, South Australia’s Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Bruce Lander revealed on Wednesday Prof Rathjen had tried to conceal he was the subject of an investigation of sexual harassment or abuse against a postgraduate female student while he was an academic at Melbourne.

Then chancellor Kevin Scarce asked Prof Rathjen about whether there was any validity in allegations made in a blog post he had a “history of engaging in sexual harassment”.

Mr Lander said Prof Rathjen denied there was anything the Adelaide University needed to know about his past, but “plainly that was untrue”.

The Adelaide University also was unaware of any allegations of sexual misconduct before Prof Rathjen’s appointment in January 2018.

Professor Peter Rathjen was Vice-Chancellor of the University of Adelaide after his tenure at UTas. Picture: SUPPLIED

Prof Rathjen was vice-chancellor at UTAS from 2011-17.

Current Vice Chancellor Rufus Black wrote to his colleagues following the ICAC findings and said UTAS had done its own investigation into Prof Rathjen’s behaviour.

“To date [we] have determined that there was no known evidence of sexual harassment or sexual assault involving Professor Peter Rathjen during his tenure at the University of Tasmania,” Prof Black wrote.

“I want to assure you there is no tolerance at our University for sexual harassment or sexual assault.

“If there are unreported, undetected issues in Tasmania, we are ready to support experiences they want to share … We ask they make contact with the Chief People Officer.

“While details of the ICAC report relate to things that happened elsewhere, for many, especially those who worked with Peter Rathjen, they may feel all too close to home.”

Prof Black said support and counselling was available to all staff and students.

“We are ready to support our community through an episode that will be challenging and confronting for many,” he wrote.

Vice Chancellor of UTAS Professor Rufus Black speaks about budget concerns from COVID-19. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

“Not only have we no tolerance for sexual harassment or assault, as a community we look to a future where our culture is consistently inclusive, equitable and supported by the strength that diversity brings.”

No allegation has been made against Prof Rathjen of sexual assault, nor has he been charged with any offence.

End Rape On Campus Australia founder and director Sharna Bremner said there not being any evidence of misconduct by Prof Rathjen during his time at UTAS so far “does not tell us anything.”

“What we’ve seen with this whole situation is a series of cover ups from the Melbourne University through to the University of Adelaide,” she said.

“None of this was a secret the whole way along yet somehow he was able to go from university to university and get promoted along the way.

“The way we see universities respond to sexual harassment is incredibly similar to how the church works – perpetrators get quietly moved from one place to another, it gets swept under the rug so these powerful men can continue in their chosen careers.”