Medical students condemn Orsi’s remarks as dean Briva admits, “I made mistakes”

The 19-year-old medical student stabbed by a classmate left the sanatorium on Friday and will continue her treatment at home. The other 19-year-old involved in the attack remains in a psychiatric clinic, where he was transferred on Tuesday, and has not testified to prosecutors, public ministry sources told El País.

The incident continued to provoke criticism in several circles. The Association of Medical Students condemned President Yamandú Orsi’s initial comments about the attack at the Faculty of Medicine annex. Asked whether the episode marked a turning point for security measures at educational institutions, Orsi said it was “a very isolated case.”

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A very isolated case.

His remarks drew a strong reaction from students. Orsi also said educational institutions needed multidisciplinary teams, referring to complaints from students at Liceo 1 in Salinas, where the alleged attacker had studied. He said violence was the underlying issue and that a clear diagnosis had not been made because such teams were lacking.

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No, because what I said was clear.

Asked on Friday whether he wanted to clarify his comments, Orsi said, “No, because what I said was clear.” He explained that he had been referring specifically to whether the secondary education system had dealt adequately with the earlier situation. He added that gender-based violence was not an isolated event and said the case involved violence directed at women, regardless of any possible mental health issue.

Orsi said he had intended to avoid generalizing about the secondary education system, after speaking with its authorities. He insisted that gender-based violence was an everyday problem. The University of the Republic suspended classes through Tuesday, September 8, to continue reflection and related actions.

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Gender-based violence is not an isolated event.