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

[Briana Conway <>]

I whole heartedly agree that if we focus our efforts on timely warning improper practice,  we can minimize the institutional betrayal our survivors will feel when their confidential disclosure results in their entire floor receiving a text message about it.

 

I Spent 2 hours on the Clery Center’s Webinar yesterday and with DOE representation and did not catch any guidance on this and the only example used, perpetuates the myth that campus sexual assault is a violent stranger rape that we as Advocates know is not what the majority of what our reports will be. Unfortunately, no disrespect, but I think the Lisak research is hindrance here for determining danger to campus community.

 

I think we need to advocate for space on our campus’ Clery Documentation that allows for Advocates to provide perspective on the “Case by Case” basis in light of all facts surrounding the crime.  (Handbook 6-14) We won’t be the ultimate decision makers, but at least our clients will know that we are in their corner, regardless of who listens to us.

·         CSA (Advocates) document that alleged perpetrator has been reported (via the CSA.)

o   Police are likely to focus on the “caught” aspect, but if we can make a case that the perpetrator was reported to the CSA maybe that could deter improper timely warning.

·         Document, survivor’s level of interest in future reporting, and if from Advocate perspective an alert would compromise that report, or law enforcement effort.  

o   This is vital for cases where Restricted SART exams have been conducted to address the time sensitive needs, and allow time for survivor to decide.  

 

Other Tips/Thoughts:

·         Make ourselves an ally to the Clery Coordinator. Point of Entry for me, was revising the “safety tips” aware from risk reduction messages to primary prevention and bystander intervention strategies.

·         Clearly spell out CSA Process on your  advocacy Service agreement/consent for service/intake form

·         Walk the survivor through potential outcomes at first intake.

·         Fill out the CSA report together with survivor so there are no surprises.

·         If campus advocate has not had prior contact with survivor, institute practice that BEFORE an alert is sent an Advocate contacts either the survivor or CSA, to ensure that survivor is fully informed that their disclosure to xx  is going to prompt an alert.  Do not let Survivors find this information out by receiving the text message.  

 

Briana Conway

Acting Director

CARE & Women’s Center

University of California, Santa Barbara

1220 Student Resource Building

Santa Barbara, CA 93106-7190

805-893-3305

Vist our Website  http://wgse.sa.ucsb.edu/Care/

 

Call 805-893-4613 to reach a confidential advocate 24/7.

 

 

 

From: Brett Sokolow [mailto:]
Sent: Friday, July 08, 2016 7:58 AM
To: Diaz, Sarah; Liz Howley;
Subject: Re: Clery Confidentiality

 

The problem, it seems to me, isn’t caused by requiring anonymous stats from advocates (that’s always been the case), it’s the improper practice of issuing timely warnings on them that creates the potential for harm. So, that’s where I’d focus my time in trying to get reform from campus law enforcement on that misinterpretation of the regulations related to timely warnings. 

 

Regards, 

Brett A. Sokolow

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

President & CEO, The NCHERM Group LLC

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From: "Diaz, Sarah" <>
Date: Friday, July 8, 2016 at 9:19 AM
To: Liz Howley <>, "" <>, "" <>
Subject: RE: Clery Confidentiality

 

Liz,

I share your concerns. As soon as I read the new handbook section you’re referring to I contacted our Clery compliance officer to seek clarification. If the CSA report really did just entail tracking statistics that would be one thing. However, on our campus CSA reports most often trigger timely warnings which creates a barrier to students seeking support.

 

I am also concerned that if we are now forced to exclude certain individuals who wish to remain confidential (counselors, specifically, with a strong understanding of trauma) from being involved on a SART team that we are missing a critical voice.

 

To amp up our confidential options for students we are now exploring a stronger partnership with a local rape crisis center.

 

If anyone has sought clarification already on the language in the new Clery handbook and has something to offer I’d love to hear that.  Thanks for posing this question, Liz.

 

Kindly,

Sarah

 

Sarah B. Diaz, MSW

Coordinator for Health Education and Outreach Programs

Campus Victim Advocate

 

Butler University

4600 Sunset Avenue

Indianapolis, IN 46208

 

Office: 317.940.8311

24 Hr. Victim Support: 317.910.5572

Fax: 317.940.6403

 

#BUBeWell

 

 

From: [] On Behalf Of Liz Howley
Sent: Friday, July 08, 2016 9:00 AM
To: ;
Subject: Clery Confidentiality

 

Hi Everyone,

 

I'm wondering how the new Clery specifications are affecting your work/how you might be adapting? In particular I'm talking about Chapter 4-2, which deals with Campus Security Authorities. 

 

"Examples of individuals (outside of a police or security department) who generally meet the criteria for being campus security authorities include: 

• victim advocates or others who are responsible for providing victims with advocacy services, such as assisting with housing relocation, disciplinary action or court cases, etc.; 

• members of a sexual assault response team (SART) or other sexual assault advocates"

 

The link to the full handbook is here: https://www2.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/handbook.pdf?utm_content=27b8b24fb4bba127bdc7f47238b4676c&utm_campaign=Just%20Released%21%20Updated%20Clery%20Handbook&utm_source=Robly.com&utm_medium=email

 

 

I'd love to hear how your institution is interpreting this. I am sure many of us who are confidential advocates have concerns about reporting"just  numbers", especially if those numbers might develop into timely notices.

 

Liz

--

Elizabeth Gallon Howley, MS, MCHES

(she/her/hers)
Assistant Director, Sexual Violence Advocacy & Prevention

University Health Center - The Well

Student Success Center 1319

724 S. Mason Street, MSC 7901

540.568.6251