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

[Brett Sokolow <>]

Colleagues,

I write with what I hope will be welcome, good news.  For some time, campus advocates have raised concerns regarding the disempowering tone of the April 4, 2011 DCL, with respect to victims.  I have countered that OCR is much more victim-driven and victim-centered in practice than the DCL conveys, and that perhaps we were reading a tone into the DCL that was not intended.  Recently, Rachel Gettler from the OCR's Program Legal Group (which wrote the DCL) has presented at two events, an ASCA webinar and the Virginia Campus Safety and Violence Prevention Forum, where she stated and reiterated that OCR does not consider campus victim advocates and peer advocates to be mandated reporters under Title IX.  While regional offices of OCR have sent mixed messages on this topic, I think we are on safe ground to act upon the Program Legal Group's statement with respect to our own campus policies and expectations.  For those celebrating, happy holidays.  

Regards,

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

President & CEO, The NCHERM Group LLC

Executive Director, The National Behavioral Intervention Team Association 

Executive Director, The Association of Title IX Administrators 

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