<p>President</a> Chopp Announces Independent Review of Sexual Assault Procedures | The Slog</p>
<p>Here’s the first in a series of articles on this topic in the Daily Gazette.</p>
<p>[Brought</a> to Light: Survivor Speaks, CJC Case Still Unfinished | Daily Gazette](<a href=“daily.swarthmore.edu domain has changed”>daily.swarthmore.edu domain has changed)</p>
<p>This is a problem that is not at all unique to Swarthmore. One hopes that the college will take steps to address the issue more forcefully, as President Chopp has said in her email to students.</p>
<p>I am a parent of a Swat grad and a current Swat student and a former criminal prosecutor. I think that Swat has a long way to go in dealing with sexual assault on campus. If I had a daughter who was a victim, I would urge her to go to the police department to report it, NOT anyone at the college. Sexual assault is CRIMINAL, and should be handled that way.
This advice goes for any young woman or man who is assaulted on a college campus. Police departments and prosectors offices have trained personnel to deal with the victims of these types of crimes, as well as advocates to support the victims. Colleges, including Swat, seem to have too much red tape, too much CYA mentality, and too much “blame the victim.” Those attitudes also exist among police and prosecutors, but at least they are really trained to deal with assessing the credibility of witnesses.</p>
<p>Interesting. I was on the CJC and I do not think that it is a suitable body to decide sexual assault cases.</p>
<p>^Agreed. Hopefully Swarthmore will begin making some major revisions.</p>
<p>I agree as well. A rape is a criminal matter–it should be handled by the police. Momof3Sons definitely has the background to speak to these issues.</p>
<p>You’re missing the difference in how sexual assault is prosecuted via the police and via Title IX/Clery. Title IX and Clery are laws that apply to colleges and universities. They require only a preponderance of evidence in order to find a perpetrator of sexual assault guilty. This is far less stringent than the typical evidence beyond a reasonable doubt required in a court of law. For cases of date rape where there is often little physical evidence, the college route is theoretically the best route to go. You have the greatest chance of ensuring protection for yourself as a student.</p>
<p>Yes, but colleges have historically done their best to ignore sexual assault altogether. They don’t want bad publicity for the college. My daughters have been instructed to do both if any kind of assault happens – notify campus security AND the local police department.</p>
<p>Update on this — twelve Swarthmore students have filed a Clery Act complaint against the college: <a href=“http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/19/education/swarthmore-and-occidental-colleges-are-accused-of-mishandling-sexual-assault-cases.html[/url]”>http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/19/education/swarthmore-and-occidental-colleges-are-accused-of-mishandling-sexual-assault-cases.html</a></p>
<p>The filing of a complaint alleging noncompliance with the Clery Act is a bold and courageous step. I applaud the students who are behind this initiative.</p>
<p>Prof. Timothy Burke has produced yet another thought-provoking blog post; this one is about the Clery Act complaint. One may agree or disagree with what he writes, but it is easy to see why the History Department is held in such high regard. </p>
<p><a href=“http://blogs.swarthmore.edu/burke/2013/04/26/on-the-clery-act-complaint/[/url]”>http://blogs.swarthmore.edu/burke/2013/04/26/on-the-clery-act-complaint/</a></p>
<p>Another article has some information from the Swarthmore police chief: </p>
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<p>[Gil</a> Spencer: Swarthmore College finds itself in crosshairs - delcotimes.com](<a href=“http://delcotimes.com/articles/2013/04/28/news/doc517c84ff79a63852530227.txt]Gil”>http://delcotimes.com/articles/2013/04/28/news/doc517c84ff79a63852530227.txt)</p>
<p>That op-ed is one of the most offensive things I’ve ever read. Honestly, he put rape in quotation marks and said she was making it up.</p>
<p>I don’t know if “he said, she said” cases will hold up in court, but Swarthmore had better be very careful before expelling students or otherwise taking action, because the cases can always be taken into the court system. Students need to get attorneys very quickly following any accusations, and I hope they are read their Miranda rights by an officer of the law. Schools cannot be “above (or below) the law” when it involves justice and fairness, regardless of the alleged crime. </p>
<p>Anyone on campus needs to be extremely careful. As these articles above say, even one alcoholic drink renders someone unable to consent (or any drugs, including marijuana). Be careful. When in doubt, or if the other person has been drinking alcohol or using drugs, walk away. Quickly. Your entire future may be at stake.</p>
<p>Cases in the other direction can also quickly be taken to the courts. As is happening now…</p>
<p>Absolutely. Both sides need to be very savvy.</p>
<p>Parent of an alum and Grandparent of a HS student now looking at colleges. This happened a long time ago and made national news. I think Barbara Walters did a 20/20 story on it. Thought the college implemented a paradigm change after this happened so it’s sad to me to see the college still struggling to effectively address sexual crimes on campus. </p>
<p>[Swarthmore</a> Student Renews Suit Alexis Clinansmith Says The College Fails To Protect Women From Sexual Harassment. She Seeks Damages. - Philly.com](<a href=“Inquirer.com: Philadelphia local news, sports, jobs, cars, homes”>Inquirer.com: Philadelphia local news, sports, jobs, cars, homes)</p>
<p>Here is an article about the press conference held yesterday to announce the filing of federal complaints by Swarthmore and three other colleges. President Chopp was quoted as saying, “We are dedicated to not only being in total compliance with Title IX and the Clery Act but to setting the standard for compliance for higher education in this country.” </p>
<p>[Swarthmore</a> named in federal complaint over rape allegations - delcotimes.com](<a href=“http://delcotimes.com/articles/2013/05/23/news/doc519ddd68db63e939489827.txt]Swarthmore”>http://delcotimes.com/articles/2013/05/23/news/doc519ddd68db63e939489827.txt)</p>