EXAMINING THE DANGERS

Transcription

1 EXAMINING THE DANGERS OF THE SINGLE STORY UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF IDENTITIES & BIASES IN TITLE IX INVESTIGATIONS PRESENTED BYVERONICA L. SILLS, MA/MPA, MSHE ASSISTANT TITLE IX COORDINATOR NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY

2 SAFE SPACE RULES This is a NO JUDGEMENT zone but be mindful of your responses both verbal and physical. Listen and observe with attention but ask clarifying questions. Experiment with suspending judgement/knowing as best you can. What happens here stays here, what s learned here leaves here. You are welcome to step out if this presentation triggers any type of emotional or psychological response. I am not an expert, but I believe in the power of collective learning, knowledge, growth, and understanding.

3 LEARNING OBJECTIVES Through today s engaging presentation, participants will. Gain a basic understanding of Title IX and the investigation process. Discuss how we create master narratives of the single story. Examine their cause for their subconscious biases. Understand the impact of visible and invisible identities in a Title IX case. Discover ways to retrain your unconscious mind to respond and support without being influenced by biases.

4 WHAT IS TITLE IX? Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 protects people from discrimination based on sex in education and activities that receive federal financial assistance from K-12 to colleges and universities. The law specifically states, "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, or be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or any activity receiving Federal financial assistance. Sexual violence is a form of sexual harassment which is prohibited by Title IX.

5 THE CONNECTION BETWEEN DISCRIMINATION AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE Discrimination is prohibited by Title IX Harassment is a form of Discrimination Sexual Harassment is a form of Harassment Sexual Violence is a form of Sexual Harassment Rape, Sexual Assault, Battery, and Coercion are forms of Sexual Violence

6 TITLE IX INVESTIGATORS TRAIN INVESTIGATE RESPOND TRAIN INVESTIGATE RESPOND Provide ongoing and mandatory training on sexual assault, harassment, and the requirement of Title IX. Interview individuals relevant to the case in a manner that is compassionate, impartial, and factfinding. Refer individuals for resources, support, provide training and education, make recommendations for remedial action, update and develop policies.

7 WHAT IS THE SINGLE STORY? Defining an experience based on a single account gives us incomplete, potentially damaging understandings of other people. How do we perpetuate the single story when we are supposed to be unbiased investigators and educators?

8 EXAMINING OTHERS IDENTITIES Skin Color Gender Age Appearance Facial Expressions Eye Contact Movement Personal Space Touch

9 EXAMINING OTHERS IDENTITIES Age Race Ethnicity Gender Physical Abilities/Qualities Sexual Orientation Religion Work background Income Marital Status Military experience Geographic Location Parental Status Education

10 THE GREATER IMPACT How do these biases impact the investigation process? How do these biases impact our ability to provide response and support? How do these biases impact our ability to train and educate our campuses?

11 EXAMINING OUR BIASES MOVING OUT OF OUR OWN WAY Our bias are based on conscious and unconscious beliefs. Unconscious bias affects every area of our lives. We often refer to our biases as intuition. Our biases are developed in different ways. Our biases can cause us to not be objective. Out biases can lead to stereotyping.

12 GROUP ACTIVITY Read the case study. Write down your initial assessment of the situation by filling in the story of who, what, where, when, and how. Put your answers in the respective basket.

13 CASE STUDY ACTIVITY Case A: This morning you received information that Terry s professor reported that Terry was being abused. Terry arrived to class with facial bruises. According to the report Terry s partner has a history of being abusive and has had charges filed in the past for physically assaulting a female.

14 CASE STUDY ACTIVITY Case B: This morning you received information that a student reported being grabbed several times and bitten on the buttocks at a greek life sponsored event during homecoming weekend. The student will be coming to your office later this afternoon with their parents and an attorney.

15 RETRAINING YOUR MIND CHANGING HOW WE TELL THE SINGLE STORY Take the time for self-examination. Constantly check your own biases. Understand and redirect beliefs, don t try to suppress them. Explore awkwardness or discomfort by asking yourself, What is triggering me to think/act this way in this particular situation? Explore opportunities for positive interaction with the unknown/unfamiliar. Take action to immediately minimize the impact of your hidden bias. Use your words wisely when asking questions. Avoid making premature conclusions.

16 QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION