Get Your Students Hired
This is a general discussion forum for the following learning topic:
Title IX and VAWA Training: Building Safer Campuses --> Investigations and Disciplinary Procedures
Post what you've learned about this topic and how you intend to apply it. Feel free to post questions and comments too.
Title IX and VAWA is not easy to comply, and the coordinator has big responsibility and must provide protection to the victim as well as he must do immediate investigation.
It does not matter if the conduct or behaviors occurred on or off campus. They should be investigated either way.
Victims should be encouraged to report the crime to the police.
An investigation by the coordinator should be conducted regardless if it was reported to the police or not.
Schools should consider what interim measures to take while the investigation and the disciplinary proceeding is pending. The Title IX Coordinator should minimize the burden on the complainant when taking interim measures.
Wen an incident happens, it is investigated. Documents that can be included are police reports, student files, personnel files, etc. A live hearing can take place but is not technically required. Criminal charges can be filed.
It is important to know all the moving roles of filing a report, what information is needed and who needs to be contacted.
Title IX investigations aren't confined to incidents on campus or at campus-related events. Any situation involving a member of the educational community that causes ongoing distress may warrant a Title IX investigation.
Title IX has to open up a school investigation but does not need a police report although it should be heavily encouraged. Reports also have to be filed if the event was off campus
I learned that Title IX and VAWA investigations and disciplinary procedures emphasize fairness, transparency, and support for all parties involved. Institutions must ensure an impartial process, provide access to resources, and respect confidentiality while adhering to due process requirements.
I will apply this knowledge through clear communication during investigations, and promoting education about rights and responsibilities to foster safer campus environments.
Comment on Robin Wiebe's post: Stalking has become a real problem with todays access to online technology. it is important to be able to report and investigate as soon as the problem occurs.
There are protections in place for faculty and students alike. These laws also provide course for issues that arise from off campus. Under these laws, it becomes our responsibility to ensure a reporter gets access to due process. It is our duty to be cognizant of Title IX and VAWA, and how your particular institution runs it's program. The most important and often most difficult in my opinion, is finding a way to remain unbiased between both parties. Showing a bias can create distrust amongst the student body.
In the event of a student being raped on campus, it is beneficial to all involved to have the local authorities work with campus officials. This ensures that the evidence will be shared and that the victim will not have to relive the occurrence multiple times.
Even if the alleged perpetrator has been cleared by the legal system, the institutional grievance process may still reach a guilty verdict.
It’s nice to know that even off-campus sex-based harassment can be investigated, as appropriate. I like when examples are given that can help us better understand these outliers, like the cyberstalking and how it was added to VAWA.
This module has reinforced the significance of a thoughtful, empathetic approach to investigations and the need for institutions to remain vigilant and responsive in their policies regarding sexual harassment and violence. I'm eager to apply this knowledge to foster a safer and more supportive environment on campus.