Letter to the Editor: Daily Bruin editorial misrepresents sexual assault reporting policy

The Daily Bruin’s editorial “New sexual assault policy harms survivors” contains several serious inaccuracies or misrepresentations that must be corrected.

First, the editorial incorrectly describes the policy’s “responsible employee” provision, which in fact only applies when employees learn of an incident in the course of their employment. Students can of course confide in each other as friends without triggering any reporting obligations, even if they are both employed by UCLA. A student employee need only report the incident if he or she learns about it, for example, while on the job from another student known through the employment or from another student whom he or she supervises on the job.

Second, the editorial fails to note that the policy’s clear definitions of “responsible employee” and “confidential resource” empower survivors by helping them understand who has a reporting obligation and who can serve as a confidential resource on the campus. Indeed, many employees, including Student Affairs staff and resident assistants, were already designated as responsible employees and aware of their reporting obligations.

Third, the editorial incorrectly states that a responsible employee report “initiates an investigation regardless of what the survivor wants to do about the matter.” In fact, the opposite is true – the report ensures that survivors can choose how they want to proceed after the University informs them of their rights and their options to report to the University and law enforcement. Survivors are also made aware of available confidential resources, including the CARE Advocate.

Finally, although the editorial purports to address the new UC policy, it focuses on a lawsuit that involved conduct and a settlement from 2013 and 2014, when previous policies were in place.

It is critically important that everyone correctly understands our current processes for reporting and responding to reports of sexual violence and sexual harassment. To this end, the Title IX Office is holding a forum to answer questions regarding the new UC policy on March 7 at 6 p.m. in Dodd Hall 147. I hope interested students will attend.

Kathleen Salvaty
Title IX coordinator