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Sexual Harrassment: Univ. offers complaint hotline
Students urged to report incidents
TAMARA BEST
Issue date: 2/22/08 Section: News
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The University, in conjunction with the Board of Regents, established the hotline in January and Provost Arnett Mace made its announcement this week.
The anonymous and independently operated hotline is available 24 hours, seven days a week at 877-516-3467.
Incidents involving sexual harassment should continue to be reported directly to the Office of Legal Affairs, according to the hotline's Web site.
"I think any action the University takes is a positive step in the right direction," Larry Gourdine, coordinator for the Office of Violence and Prevention, said Thursday at a discussion titled "Drawing the Line."
The discussion outlined basic information about sexual harassment, including the different types of harassment, ways to avoid harassment and avenues to seek help. Gourdine told the approximately 10 students present to document all incidents in a meticulous way so they can "build a paper trail."
"Sadly enough, it's up to the person being harassed to build the case," he said. "Unless that happens, it becomes 'he said, she said' and not reporting allows the perpetrator to victimize over and over again."
Gourdine said discussions on harassment help students have a "voice."
"It's important to have this discussion because what I've been hearing from students is they don't have a place to go to voice their concerns," Gourdine said.
"Students need to know they have a voice and that they do not have to suffer in silence."
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 7
Connor
posted 2/22/08 @ 10:51 AM EST
As recently as this morning, Nicki Batelli and I on behalf of the student body and student government association have been in contact with Ms. Elizabeth Bailey from the Office of Legal Affairs in order to find a the best resolution to heading off sexual harassment and safely reporting any cases. (Continued…)
Billy
posted 2/22/08 @ 12:06 PM EST
OMG, they have an 800 number now? Are you kidding me, is sexual harassment that bad. Even if it is its not the reporting thats the problem its what the university does with the complaint. (Continued…)
jillian
posted 2/22/08 @ 2:15 PM EST
This article is completely inaccurate. If this reporter would have done her job, she would have discovered that one of the only things you cannot report on this hotline is sexual harassment cases. (Continued…)
JFM
posted 2/22/08 @ 5:03 PM EST
I'd think it would be in the faculty interest to have students believe, falsely, that the hotline is an avenue for reporting sexual harrassment. In this way, the complaints can continue to be moth-balled while the University can claim it's actively working towards a solution. (Continued…)
Mandi
posted 2/27/08 @ 1:12 PM EST
I definitely see your point "Adam". The headline is misleading, but keep in mind that reporters do not write headlines, copy editors do.
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