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KIRK SMITH/THE REVIEW Conversation around sexual assault has come into full swing on campus, attracting the attention of state legislators and stakeholders. Clockwise: Title IX Coordinator Sue Groff at student government meeting, sophomore Sage Carson at September’s UDoBetter rally, outgoing SGA president Ben Page-Gil.
Del. legislators propose mandatory reporting bill Bill would bring sexual assault reports to law enforcement
CADY ZUVICH Executive Editor Reports of sexual assaults rarely make their way up to student conduct, let alone law enforcement. Justice is rarely served. Reports––either with the police or the university––remain largely unfilled. A group of Delaware legislators are looking to change this underreporting norm by spearheading a bill that would require universities to share sexual assault reports with law enforcement. But some survivors and their advocates say the bill would do just the opposite and hinder people from reporting. Sponsors Reps. Kim Williams and Valerie Longhurst and Sen. Karen Peterson announced the proposed mandatory reporting bill earlier this month with a slew of other legislation related to women’s rights. The legislators have yet
to finalize the bill, but could bring it to the floor within the coming months. “These people who do these violent crimes know that they will continue to commit,” Williams said. “We are done allowing you to take advantage. If we send that message, think of the power of what could be done.” In recent weeks, the sponsors have been meeting with various campus stakeholders, such as advocates and administrators. One of the students consulted was Sage Carson, the sophomore behind September’s UDoBetter rally against sexual assault. Carson said mandatory reporting is a far cry from being survivor centered. “You’ve already had your power taken away,” Carson said of survivors whose initial reports will more likely be forwarded to law enforcement. “Do you really want to put your
future in the hands of someone you don’t know?” Carson started a change.org petition against the proposed bill. As of Monday, 240 people have signed. ‘We just want more conversations about this’ The bill mimics legislation created in the wake of the Earl Bradley case. Bradley was a Delaware pediatrician convicted in 2011 on 471 charges of molesting, raping and exploiting 103 of his child patients. After Bradley’s arrests, Gov. Jack Markell signed nine bills into law, one of which enhanced mandatory reporting requirements by healthcare practitioners. For Rep. Williams, it was documentary “The Hunting Ground” that prompted her to go forward with her legislation. The documentary crew came to campus in March to show
the film, which examined the prevalence––and mishandling–– of sexual assault cases on college campuses. “I left [The Hunting Ground] and could not believe how this is such an epidemic –– how its underreported and how people aren’t paying the price for their actions,” Williams said. “We just want more conversations about this.” As it stands, the bill would require the university’s responsible employees to forward reports to law enforcement. The bill would exempt clergy, professional counselors and victim advocates from the reporting requirement. Senior Ben Page-Gil, outgoing president of Student Government Association, met with legislators in recent weeks and said legislators do not seem open to receiving feedback on the bill. He also said no drafts or further details of the bill were given
What you need to know about Office of Civil Rights investigation, visit
CADY ZUVICH Executive Editor
WHAT’S INSIDE
University officials have confirmed that the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) will be visiting campus next week as part of its investigation into the university’s handling of sexual violence cases. The university was put under investigation last May by OCR on whether it violated Title IX, a federal law that mandates gender equality at universities. OCR’s list of colleges under investigation has inflated since last year, with 106 higher education institutions as of April 1 facing inquiries into their handling of sexual assaults. OCR investigators will be holding focus sessions next Tuesday and Wednesday with anyone who would like to speak about sexual violence on campus. The OCR will also be
available to speak in private and with survivors of sexual assault. OCR’s visit comes at a time when administration is reviewing campus sexual assault policies. The Office of the Provost in conjunction with Faculty Senate issued a climate survey last week to evaluate undergraduates’ experiences with sexual violences, including if students know the available resources and reporting protocol. The survey closes May 4. Professor Michael Chajes —chairperson of the Faculty Senate Commission on Sexual Harassment and Assault – said the survey could give data that filed sexual assault reports cannot give. “It’s important for universities to gather the best data we can and report it,” Chajes said. “I think we can do it without infringing on the survivor.”
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Title IX coordinator Sue Groff, who came into her position one month after the university was placed under OCR investigation, is facing understaffing and changes to her office. Some staffers have left the Title IX office, and Groff said at a Student Government Association meeting earlier this semester that she will soon be “burnt out.” The university is looking to hire two Title IX investigators to add to Groff’s office. Groff is currently the only staffer investigating cases. OCR has visited other colleges this month, including Harvard University, University of California—Los Angeles and Iowa State University. OCR found in November that Princeton University was noncompliant with Title IX. An agreement was reached to bring Princeton University to compliance.
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Tuesday in Trabant University Center Multipurpose Room B 10 a.m.: University faculty 11 a.m.: University staff 1 p.m.: Resident assistants 2 p.m.: Student Government Association and campus leaders 3 p.m.: Members of organizations addressing issues of interest to women 4 p.m.: Individual meetings with OCR. Please call one of the OCR representatives below to schedule a private meeting. Walk-ins are also welcome. Wednesday in Ewing Room of Perkins Student Center 10 a.m.: University undergraduate and graduate students 11 a.m.: Individual meetings with OCR. Please call one of the OCR representatives below to schedule a private meeting. Walk-ins are also welcome. 1 p.m.: Members of sororities 2 p.m.: Members of fraternities 3 p.m.: Individual meetings with OCR. Please call one of the OCR representatives below to schedule a private meeting. Walkins are also welcome.
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to stakeholders. ‘Mandating people to go through this process –– it’s kind of ridiculous,” Page-Gil said. It should be up to the survivor.” Page-Gil also expressed concern that the bill could compromise our Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Campus Grant. The VAWA grant, which was granted in 2011 and again 2014, requires a certain level of survivor confidentiality. The University of Delaware in partnership with Delaware State University has received more than $1 million from the VAWA grants, allowing for the hiring of prevention specialists and promotions of special programming.
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