During this Saturday’s sittning, two female guests received sexist and vulgar comments. When they told a security guard nothing happened – but after a widely viewed Facebook post, Malmö Nation will now investigate the incident.
Saturday’s sittning was anything but pleasant for two of the Nation’s guests. The female guests received sexist and invasive comments from a male guest at the Nation.
When one of the women brought this to the attention of one of the security guards, the answer she got was “we are watching him”. When no action was taken against the accused male during the evening, the other female guest questioned the guard’s behaviour. This resulted in her getting thrown out of the Nation with threats of never being let in again.
Hundreds of likes and comments
This story was later retold in a widely seen post at Malmö Nation’s Facebook page by one of the woman on Sunday. The post got hundreds of likes and many comments regarding the guard’s behaviour.
However, during the Sunday Malmö Nation chose to delete the post from their Facebook page. The Nation’s Curator William Personne point out that this was done because of the threats made in the comments towards people at the Nation. An action which has been met with criticism.
At the same time the Nation declared that they would start an investigation on Monday about what really happened.
Curator refuses to comment
William Personne did not in the beginning of the week want to comment on this particular matter before the investigation had been completed, but says that it is regrettable when comments like these are made and that nobody should be subjected to it.
The Nation is now working on formulating a concrete plan of action that is to be presented before Kuratorskollegiet, KK. William Personne also did not want to comment on the plan until its details were completed – but says that the Nation also wants to engage the other Nations at Kuratorskollegiet in this.
Works out the framework for better partying
On Tuesday mid-morning, the Nation released a statement on their Facebook page where they “in accordance with their promised transparency”, as they formulated it, give an account on their investigation and follow-up work.
Malmö Nation has formed a framework for a workgroup, including the two female guests involved, in order to make the nightclub environment “a safer, more respectful and a more fun place”. They hope to later implement this at all of the twelve nations of Kuratorskollegiet.
The hope is that this will work as a forum where incidents as the one at Malmö Nation can be reported, discussed and actions taken.
Kuratorskollegiet and Malmö has yet to communicate
When Lundagard talks with Kuratorskollegiet’s chairwoman Märta Skoglund on Tuesday mid-morning, she has not been in contact with Malmö Nation regarding the weekend’s incident. A meeting this week though is highly prioritised.
“We will meet them and make sure that this leads to something. The important thing for us is that this episode will have consequences and relevant actions”, she says.
What kind of effect would you like to see?
“I want them to examine all of their staff. This is a very serious incident. It is very important that the Nation’s staff responsible on-site are there for the guests”, she says.
Märta Skoglund adds that she would like to hear the guard’s version of what happened.
“It is important to understand all aspects of the incident”, she says.
Kuratorskollegiet positive to a plan of action
Despite the fact that Kuratorskollegiet have not yet taken part of Malmö Nation’s thoughts of a plan of action and framework, Märta Skoglund is positive towards implementing this in Kuratotskollegiet.
“Right now it is hard to say if a plan for these types of incidents really is needed – but I kind of think so. You are to learn from experiences and incidents. It is important that we get something out of this. If it results in a plan on how guards are supposed to act, then that is something positive”, she says.
The first draft of Malmö Nation’s workgroup for a safer, more respectful and a more fun nightclub environment will be presented at Kuratorskollegiet’s pre-meeting on 23rd of November.
Translation: Viktor Jönsson
