Thread by @knowyourIX

🧵THREAD🧵: Quotes from survivors and those who support them on their experiences with the current Title IX policy, and what they would like to see in the new rule.

Tune into the livestream here: web.cvent.com/event/06428d78…

“I had to withdraw from school because advocating for myself as a teenager and having to learn the ins and outs of the law because my rights weren’t being upheld became a full time job”

“Investigations shouldn’t take more than 60 days because students, especially ones like me without fancy lawyers or parental help, shouldn’t be asked to neglect their education and endure the uncertainty and trauma of a case any longer than that.”

“The hearing itself can certainly be anxiety provoking, painful, humiliating, and unethical, since the perpetrator’s hearing advisor can cross examine the victim or survivor… we’re continuing to re-traumatize students on our campuses when we asked them to report.”

“Survivor consent must be at the center of reporting policy, otherwise survivors are ‘dragged kicking and screaming’ into the reporting and investigation process as described by one student survivor in a research study.”

“Through my research, survivors have communicated that they prefer policies that consider their consent and prioritize their need for regaining their sense of autonomy and control after this was taken from them through violence.”

"Title IX should be easy for everyone to navigate through the system and find resources. There needs to be better reporting navigation. Title IX reporting for OCR and through schools… should be searchable and in a language suitable for students and parents.”

“The new rule should ensure promptness rather than needlessly prolonging Title IX grievances procedures to last almost full years before resolution in many cases.”

“Live cross examination during campus proceedings… are not proceedings with judges, nor do they have rules of evidence. It is nothing short of absurd to have attorneys coming in without the protections given in such judicial settings where cross examination is the norm.”

When I asked if they had been granted a religious exemption to discriminate on the basis of sex, they said they didn’t even need one… the DOE states that an institution’s exempt status is not dependent upon its submission.

The DOE website goes on to say that religious institutions that have neither sought nor received prior written assurance from OCR may still invoke their exemption after OCR receives a Title IX complaint.

“The new 2020 Title IX regulations ignore cyber sexual violence in tech-facilitated abuse… such as, but not limited to, pornographic disruptions during mandatory remote classes, non consensual sharing of intimate images, and heightened cases of cyber stalking.”

“We call upon the DOE to not only provide resources for the research and response to tech-facilitated abuse, but also to ensure that students who experience it are protected under Title IX.”

“The new rule should ensure that students who experience sexual violence are not punished or pushed out of school for demonstrating trauma symptoms, and students should rather be given supportive measures by their schools to ensure they are able to complete their education.”

“I was told that seeking additional support from faculty disability services and the dean of students office was unprofessional and aggressive. Coordination and collaboration among different offices such as those mentioned should be encouraged by the new TIX rule”