Police Open Investigation Into Sexual Harassment Claims At Malta Philharmonic Orchestra
Police have opened up an investigation into claims of sexual harassment within the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO).
First revealed by The Shift News, the MPO is facing a criminal complaint over incidents which forced one individual to resign over the “excessive stress caused by abuse and multiple incidents of sexual harassment that took place at the office and during work functions”.
Multiple verbal reports by the person were allegedly ignored.
It also quoted public claims by a Brazilian violinist and cellist who said that it “seemed that young girls were being treated differently from the rest.”
“In the same week that I was called, together with other girls, and talked to about our t-shirts and shorts, the CEO (Sigmund Mifsud) said he had forgotten to ask the government for the €20,000 in allowances needed for our tour in Dubai,” she said.
“I vividly remember thinking about how he was so worried about my t-shirt and not about the €20,000 he forgot for an international tour.”
“Whoever stood up and did not accept certain things was fired.”
In a reply, Mifsud said that “a board of investigation was appointed to investigate and report on the allegations, as per government policy on sexual harassment claims. The board will investigate all the facts and draw up the conclusions.”
Now, the police have confirmed that it is investigating the alleged complaint with The Times of Malta.
It remains to see whether the Ministry will take any action pending the investigation.
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