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

[Brett Sokolow <>]

Alerts naming a known ALLEGED offender are legal if made in good faith and clearly are couched as accusations, and are becoming more common.  One Clery Act program review even insisted it was necessary even though the offenders were under arrest.  The personal information of the alleged offender should not be released if it could lead to the identity of the alleged victim.  See Havlik v. Johnson & Wales University. 

 

Regards,
Brett A. Sokolow
Brett A. Sokolow, Esq.
Attorney-at-Law

Managing Partner, The National Center for Higher Education Risk Management (www.ncherm.org)

Executive Director, The National Behavioral Intervention Team Association (www.nabita.org)

Executive Director, The Association of Title IX Administrators (www.atixa.org)

20 Callery Way
Malvern, PA 19355-2969
Tel. (610) 993-0229
Fax (610) 993-0228


"Best Practices for Campus Health and Safety"
NCHERM serves as legal counsel/advisor to 25 campuses  

 

From: Gillian Greensite [mailto:]
Sent: Tuesday, November 29, 2011 12:32 PM
To: Shari Murgittroyd
Cc:
Subject: Re: Sample Crime Alert for Campus Acquaintance Rape

 

Shari, I may be missing something but I don't think the police nor the administration can put out an alert for an acquaintance rape as you can for stranger rape, unless of course in a non-stranger case the person accused can't be found. If the person is known and is being charged, whether within criminal justice or under campus judicial procedures or both, then I would think due process would make a crime alert inappropriate and legally questionable. And if no charges are being filed, even more so. But maybe folks have come up with something creative here. I'll be interested to hear.

 

In the 1970's it was a common practice for grassroots activists against rape to put out flyers naming those who had been accused of rape, in particular acquaintance rape and then help the survivor orchestrate a "confrontation." This sometimes worked well and sometimes back-fired, not always good for the survivor.

 

Gillian. 

On Nov 29, 2011, at 6:06 AM, Shari Murgittroyd wrote:

Does anyone have a sample of language for a Campus Crime Alert for Acquaintance Rape?  We are hoping to encourage our campus police to send out crime alerts for acquaintance rapes on campus, in addition to the stranger rapes.  Thanks in advance for your support.

 

Shari Murgittroyd, LMSW

Program Coordinator

MSU Sexual Assault Program

14 Student Services Building

Office Phone: (517) 355-9320

24-Hour Crisis Line (517) 372-6666

Fax: (517) 353-8912

www.endrape.msu.edu

 

Staff members of the Counseling Center do not use e-mail to communicate confidential information.  Further, we cannot guarantee that e-mail messages will be read regularly or within a given period of time.  It is especially important to note this in case of an emergency situation.  If you have a need to communicate about matters other than scheduling, please contact us either in-person at the Counseling Center or by phone (517-355-8270). 

 

 

E-mail is not a secure form of communication, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed. Please keep this in mind when deciding whether to send personal information. 
Staff members of the Counseling Center do not use e-mail to communicate confidential information. Further, we cannot guarantee that e-mail messages will be read regularly or within a given period of time. It is especially important to note this in case of an emergency situation. If you have a need to communicate about matters other than scheduling, please contact us either in-person at the Counseling Center or by phone (517-355-8270).   ­­