People's Artist Benyuk Stands in Defense of Colleagues Accused of Harassment.

People's Artist of Ukraine Bohdan Benyuk expressed support for the acting professors of the Kyiv National University of Theater, Film and Television named after Ivan Karpenko-Karyi, who are accused of sexual harassment and misconduct. He urged caution with hasty conclusions and believes that behind the loud accusations are 'unsuccessful students'.

Benyuk believes that the right to teach acting should not be conditional and should not depend on public opinion. He thinks that we should wait for the closure of each case involving the actors-teachers before drawing conclusions. Benyuk also noted that similar accusations can start from any, even minor details.

In turn, journalist Alina Dorotyuk disagrees with Benyuk's position and states that she will not 'cover up violence'. She asks who, if not a teacher, can better comment on the situation at the university. The journalist believes that Benyuk holds an unobjective position since he is the head of the acting department at the Ivan Karpenko-Karyi University and teaches at the Academy of Variety and Circus Arts.

The complainant has not revealed her name; she accused Andriy Bilous, a university lecturer and artistic director of the Young Theater, of sexual harassment. She claims that he sent her photographs of the intimate areas of other students and demanded similar ones in return. The university states that it has not received any official complaints but has contacted the police.

During the protests, demands to suspend Andriy Bilous from his position were voiced on February 10. The police have initiated a criminal case under Article 153 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - sexual violence.

It was Benyuk who stood up for the actor-teachers accused of improper conduct. He called for caution with hasty conclusions and to defend the right to teach acting. Benyuk also stated that the future of theater and cinema is more important to him than participating in public disputes.