‘Abused women shouldn’t leave husbands’ says Valencia University professor

A PROFESSOR at Valencia University reportedly said that “abused women shouldn’t leave their husbands because that is love.”

Students at the CEU Cardenal Herrera report that she also said that “abortion following rape is not acceptable because although rape is terrible, something good comes from it, a child, which is a gift from God.”

Gloria Casanova was teaching Social Doctrine in the Church, as part of Journalism studies, and students have published on social networks that she also said that “even if your husband is unfaithful, the true test of love is to continue loving him with tears in your eyes, like Jesus cried on the Cross.” Another comment she reportedly made was “homosexuality can be redirected.”

The university said in a statement to the press that it “encourages debate and reflection amongst students and teachers and is open to all opinions expressed with respect.” The statement added that the university wants students to listen, be alert and be critical, as well as developing their own opinion.

Meanwhile, Casanova told the local press that the class had not been controversial and asked that things not be taken out of context.

The Valencia Council for Education, Culture and Sport, said that the statements were the opinion of one person, which they did not necessarily share, but which she was free to express within her own class.

The opposition has demanded that the regional government take measures to guarantee the fundamental rights of all students. The left-wing Esquerra Unida was the most critical, saying that the professor’s statements were offensive, homophobic, dangerous and went against everything done towards equality, while taking a step back to Medieval times.