These complaints reached GGzE in mid-2022. Thereupon, Marcelis temporarily stepped down from her duties (“under protest,” according to the public court report). Discussions then took place between the institution and Marcelis about her future role. Could she return as head of training? Would a different position within GGzE be possible? No agreement was reached, and a mediation process also failed to yield results. Consequently, GGzE’s board requested her dismissal in court, but their request has now been denied.
The judge also reproached GGzE for not investigating whether the complaints against Marcelis were justified. Reference was made to Maastricht University: in 2022, five of her PhD students complained about social unsafety. An independent investigation commissioned by the university exonerated the professor at the beginning of 2023.