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

["Torres-Zickler, Alina M." <>]

Would love some insight into a conversation that I’ve had with professionals at my own institution and others nearby recently-

 

How do you deal with taking no judicial action when working with survivors?

 

We have had a growing number of survivors who have been involved with a range of situations (for example dating violence and sexual harassment), that wish for nothing to happen expect maybe one or two interim measures. We of course comply with the interim measures they need to be safe and continue to be part of the community but there are additional voices who are concerned.

 

We are seeing no patterns related to the perpetrators and the actors pose no risk to the greater campus community.  But certain campus partners feel we should have judicial hearings anyway to protect the survivor.

 

The way I interpret the guidance is if the survivor requests that nothing happen and there is no risk to the greater community – nothing happens. I think because we are having so many requests for no action, it is making some people feel uneasy.

 

Would love any thoughts that others have on this or how you handle requests for no action.

 

Alina Torres-Zickler

Assistant Director

Office of Social Equity

West Chester University

Ph. 610.436.2838

Email:

 

Be kind, for everyone is fighting their own quiet battle. - Cicero