Due to new guidelines from the Department of Education, UNC will be reviewing how it deals with sexual assault cases. None of UNC’s policies have changed yet, but Assistant Dean of Students Melinda Manning said the University would be undergoing review this summer to ensure they followed federal guidelines.
UNC’s task will be to balance the University’s responsibility to provide a safe environment for students with a survivor’s right to make decisions regarding his or her future — all in line with new guidelines.
Many of the new mandated policies are vague. They indicate the University’s obligation to investigate every case of sexual assault, but do not detail what an investigation must entail. It remains unclear if every case of reported sexual assault will have to be investigated, or if UNC will be able to retain its anonymous reporting system.
The most important value for any system regarding sexual assaults to retain is the right of self-determination for the survivor of that assault — something UNC’s current policies respect.
After experiencing such a personal and severe act of violence, a survivor of sexual assault should not be coerced by federal guidelines into opening an investigation.
Students need to keep abreast of the latest news — the rights and responsibilities of both survivors and accused perpetrators seem like they could change fairly drastically over the next few months.
The new guidelines are a chance to improve how the University executes its responsibility to help address and end sexual violence.
Look at the new guidelines, and share suggestions with Manning.
This is a chance for students to weigh in on the way the University deals with sexual assault cases.
