Discussion List for campus-based and allied personnel working to end gender-based violence on campus.

["Garrett, Robin" <>]

I am responding to the list serv about Wendy Murphy's comments of
yesterday concerning the absence of appropriately harsh response to
student to student assault. 
I have been the director of the women's center at West Chester
University of Pennsylvania since 1987.  Like many campuses we struggle
with under reporting of student to student assault and also mixed
success with willingness to move forward with formal action when reports
are made.  Happily though, at WCU we have a very consistent record of
appropriate response both in the campus judicial system and in the
criminal justice system when students choose to pursue action. Harsh
action, including expulsion, has been taken when the evidence available
made that possible.  Even in "he said-she said" cases, that were not
taken up by our county prosecutor campus action has been as strong as
our judicial officers felt they could realistically impose, including
suspension.  Factors which, I think, support this are 1) having a long
standing and visible women's center, 2) having a high level of
communication and cooperation between the women's center and the staff
in judicial affairs, 3) an office of judicial affairs that thoroughly
prepares students and staff who sit on judicial boards, 4) having an
enlightened administration and an absence of the "sweep it under the
rug" mentality, and 5) a strong collaborative relationship among the
women's center, public safety and our county rape crisis/crime victim
center.  We have much we can do to improve here, but slaps on the wrist
for serious offenses is not one of our problems.



Feminism is the radical notion that women are people.
Robin Garrett,
Women's Center Director 
West Chester University
West Chester PA 19383
610-436-2122

There is no way to peace.  Peace is the way.