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

["Clara Porter" <>]

Definitely check in with your local office of the Dept. of Ed. Office of Civil Rights as they are very clear on which entities should do the investigating and to what degree an university can compel a victim/survivor to be involved in the process.  Generally on our campus all reports come to the Office of Community Standards via the Campus Police or Residential Life but that does not mean that a person could not report directly to OCS if they chose to do so.

 

- Clara Porter

 

 

Clara Porter, Coordinator

Interpersonal Violence Prevention

University of Southern Maine

112 Upton Hall, Gorham

780-4218 office

232-0484 cell

>>> <> 3/8/2011 12:45 PM >>>

I think this is a terrible idea. Survivors should be given the option of either campus conduct processes or criminal process, or BOTH. This essentially takes away that option and could hinder reporting to anyone - which could mean more survivors not getting the support they need at all. Many survivors are willing to speak with campus officials but don't want to talk with police - particularly those from communities with whom the police have not been a helpful resources (communities of color, trans, glb, etc.). It also isn't consistent with other practices. Do they turn over all alcohol violations to the police to investigate? Marijuana? Likely not. Why would this be any different, in terms of process. I agree with Brett - this seems like punting to me.

--
Keith E. Edwards, PhD

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: judicial affairs and police reports
From: Monica Collins <>
Date: Wed, March 02, 2011 4:35 pm
To:

hello all...

 

I learned today that our campus is planning to put a policy in place that sexual assault survivors who report to judicial affairs will also be required to report to the police. The reasoning is that judicial affairs doesn’t have the ability to fully investigate sexual assault complaints (e.g., they can’t do pretext phone calls) and they want to use campus police as the investigative body.

I am wondering if anyone has feedback about how this is handled on your campus. Does judicial affairs handle the investigating on campus for reports they receive? Do you have a separate investigator that acts in this role for your campus? Does anyone require police involvement to report to judicial affairs? If so, does your campus also require police involvement for other conduct issues or complaints (not related to sexual assault)?

We are feeling concerned about the impact that this might have for survivors who wish to file a complaint on campus... but dont necessarily want to involve police. Any feedback would be great!

thanks...

m.

Monica Collins

Assistant Director for Prevention and Education Programs

& Victim Advocate

Women and Gender Advocacy Center

Colorado State University

112 Student Services

970-491-6384

www.wgac.colostate.edu

"The truth is on the side of the oppressed" -MX