RECOMMENDATION 8: END SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN.

Discussion of the problem: As long as women remain at unequal risk for violence and intimidation at their places of study and work, our campuses discriminate against women. While some progress has been achieved in providing support services to survivors of rape, sexual harassment, and dating and domestic assault, much more is required to demonstrate that our universities are fully committed to change the fundamental social and physical conditions that sustain violence against women. Many women express dissatisfaction with existing methods of prevention and redress. On some campuses, even basic services for survivors (such as an easily accessible, effective, and visibly confidential advocate) are lacking; whereas on other campuses, several offices need better coordination to insure continued progress.

In too many cases, women remain silenced about violent or intimidating behavior by superiors, peers, and partners. Some women are driven out of the university by a spuriously even-handed approach, which rarely results in real sanctions for the perpetrators or real justice for the survivors. When accountability for women's safety is marginalized in Equal Opportunity or other offices outside the regular reporting structures, the result is often to forestall legal remedies that women off campus can pursue if they are attacked in their homes, workplaces, or in public spaces.

Vision for the Year 2000:

1. A visible and confidential support system, clear consequences for behavior, and vocal commitment to anti-violence policies from president and vice presidents have made it possible for women on our campuses to report assault and harassment and to seek redress. The university truly exemplifies a zero tolerance of sexual harassment and violence against women.

2. The university withdraws recognition and support from groups shown to be implicated at rates higher than the general campus population in acts of sexual harassment or violence against women.

3. The university ensures the safety of survivors during periods of investigation. Individuals found responsible for violent acts are disciplined, usually by termination of association with the university. If circumstances do not warrant such termination, disciplinary measures imposed include curfews, escorts, increased supervision, designation of off-limit sites, and other restrictions on freedom of movement, as appropriate to the protection of the survivor and of others similarly situated.

4. Criteria for evaluation of administrators and supervisors include items to test women's satisfaction with the university's response to the problem of sexual harassment and violence. Women students and employees report satisfaction with university grievance, public safety, and judicial mechanisms they have used.

5. Administrators and supervisors about whom dissatisfaction is reported are held responsible for providing themselves and staffs with training and professional development on issues of violence against women and sexual harassment. Failure to achieve acceptable levels of satisfaction among supervisees within a reasonable period of time is grounds for disciplinary action.

6. The university has instituted a process in which all administrators, faculty, graduate teaching assistants, staff, and students are trained in issues of sexual harassment and violence, paying particular attention to groups that are particularly vulnerable, such as graduate students and support staff.