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

["Green, Alyssa" <>]

Hi there,

 

We’re currently trying to see how other advocacy spaces on campus like our Office of BGLTQ Student Life can gain confidentiality instead of being held to “responsible employee” mandates. Because of the nature of his role, the Director has come into contact with instances of sexual and relationship violence, stalking, and gender-based discrimination (which is covered under our University’s TIX policy through MA state law). Though the OCR encourages it (see below), our general counsel is not open at this time to carving out space for confidential sources and is only sorting people into “responsible employee” status or folks who have professional privilege. Has anyone else successfully done this with your LGBT Offices or Women’s Centers or anything? If so, please feel free to email me personally! Thanks!

 

“OCR recognizes that some people who provide assistance to students who experience sexual violence are not professional or pastoral counselors. They include all individuals who work or volunteer in on-campus sexual assault centers, victim advocacy offices, women’s centers, or health centers (“non-professional counselors or advocates”), including front desk staff and students. OCR wants students to feel free to seek their assistance and therefore interprets Title IX to give schools the latitude not to require these individuals to report incidents of sexual violence in a way that identifies the student without the student’s consent.27 These non-professional counselors or advocates are valuable sources of support for students, and OCR strongly encourages schools to designate these individuals as confidential sources.”

 

Best,

 

Alyssa K. Green

Survivor Advocate | Office of Sexual Assault Prevention & Response (OSAPR)

24-hour hotline: 617.495.9100

 

 

Department of Health Promotion & Education | Harvard University Health Services

(617.496.6454|7617.495.9105 |8osapr.harvard.edu |-731 Smith Center, Cambridge, MA 02138

 

 

Gender Pronouns: she, her, hers

 

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