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

["LaDue, Lee E." <>]

In response to Angela's post - in certain cases we have used some type
of divider and I support it when the victim is so scared that not having
might mean they won't go through with the hearing.  A number of years
ago, because of particular circumstances, the hearing was done via
conference phone - but that was unusual.

I also see the value in a victim realizing that they can be in the same
room and can look them in the eye and reclaim their power - but the
reality is- often times they are not ready to do that and I believe we
have to work with them where they are at, at the time of the hearing and
they get to decide if they are ready for that or not.  Allowing the
victim to make that decision, in and of itself, begins the process of
reclaiming their power.

Lee LaDue
Asst. Director/Coordinator - Gender Violence 
Prevention Program
St. Cloud State University Women's Center
720 4th Ave. S.
St. Cloud, MN 56301
320/308-3995


Message: 3
Date: Tue, 9 Oct 2007 14:22:17 -0400
From: "Angela Seguin" 
<>
Subject: Judicial Processes on Campus
To: 
<>
Message-ID: 
<>
Content-Type: text/plain;       charset="iso-8859-1"

Greetings Colleagues,

Last week when Julie Bezek posted an inquiry to this listserv about
where to purchase a screen for sexual assault hearings, I replied to
share what we use at UD.

Afterwards I received inquiries directly from others on the list who
were curious about how and why screens were used in hearings.  I
explained that we use a curtain that hangs in the middle of the room to
divide the accused person's side from the victim's side.  Use of a
curtain or screen allows the victim to be free from threat or
intimidation that might be imposed with body language or facial
expression.  It often makes victims feel more safe and comfortable
enough to move forward with the judicial process (instead of dropping
the case).  The accused person is still allowed to question the victim
and the victim answers.  

The accused person is allowed to have an advisor sitting with them and
the victim is allowed an advocate or support person (which can be a
friend, as long as the friend is not a witness in the case).  The
hearing officer and the charging party who presents the case are
positioned at the head of the room so they are in view of all parties.

To this explanation, one person responded:  "For the most part (and I
can think of exceptions) I'm thinking people need to face each other and
be strong and assertive in the presence of attempted intimidation.  You
look the accuser in the eye and see how little power he really has.
There is something about this that doesn't feel quite right - but I am
open to new ideas and will see what other people think."

So I thought that it might be interesting for both she and I to hear
what other people think.  I am curious how sexual assault hearings are
carried out on other campuses and what your perspectives are on use of a
screen or curtain.

Thanks,
Angela

Angela DiNunzio Seguin
Coordinator, Sexual Offense Support (S.O.S.)
Wellspring: Student Wellness Program
University of Delaware
(302) 831-3457
http://www.udel.edu/wellspring/SOS

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End of SAPC Digest, Vol 837, Issue 1
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