Ploys in use are promise of marriage, job after completion of study, notes and 'suggestions' and taking advantage of the gullibility of the students. For a student, her earlier years in the university could be stimulating and lonely at the same time. I am aware of the facts where 'target' students have been harassed and cajoled into submission, and fearful of getting punitively low marks or orchestrated campaign of vilification against them, they eventually gave in to the high and mighty or their cronies at the departments.

This is not to malign the majority of the teachers who are dedicated to their profession. There is a power imbalance within the teacher-student relationship. There should be rules to prevent any abuse and written behavioural code of conduct that should uphold the sanctity of this relationship. Like it or not, it is a fact that amongst the elites in the campus there are some who are unmindful of their responsibilities and would not hesitate to abuse their position. They are on the loose, and our daughters and sisters cannot be left unprotected while they are shielded by the veil of respectability.

I hope we and the university authorities remain aware of the problems that the girls are facing.