The Foundation for Global Sports Development delivers and supports initiatives that promote fair play, education, and the benefits of abuse-free sport for youth.
White Law PLLC was founded to provide more personalized representation to clients facing legal dilemmas. Whether you have an issue that is complex or relatively straightforward, any legal matter can have a significant impact on your life. Our team of experienced lawyers based in Okemos, Michigan, strive to deliver outstanding legal services that exceed your expectations. We utilize our extensive legal knowledge and the latest in technology to bring you effective and proven solutions to your legal issues.
Shoddy Harassment Investigations Are a Stain to Academia
Shoddy Harassment Investigations Are a Stain to AcademiaShoddy Harassment Investigations Are a Stain to Academia “This is a case about Harvard’s decade-long failure to protect students from sexual ABUSE and career-ending retaliation.” That is the first sentence of a federal lawsuit filed on February 8 by three graduate students against Harvard University, accusing the university’s officials of. enabling abusive behavior by John Comaroff, a professor in the anthropology department. The university disputes the claims The groping, the intimidating talk of rape, and the unwanted attention Comaroff is accused of are all appalling. But also galling is the implication that the people appointed by the university to investigate the years of complaints against the professor did not take the complaints, or perhaps the complainants, seriously. Several questions remain in the wake of this and similar stories: powerful people, accused many times over many years of sexual harassment, workplace bullying, or both, and committees who do not fulfill their duty to stop this behavior. As we work toward holding harassers accountable for their actions, it’s also time to hold these internal investigators accountable for their actions, or lack thereof. And it’s time to hold other academics in positions of power accountable when they “mob” the accusers (ganging up against the people filing the complaints or helping cover up these atrocious behaviors)I’m an assistant professor at MICHIGAN STATE University. I’m also the co-founder and director of the Academic Parity Movement , a nonprofit organization that aims to address academic bullying, mobbing, abusive supervision, harassment and discrimination at their roots to ensure everyone can excel and progress. My team and I have been investigating the reasons behind the age-old, yet unresolved issues of academic bullying and sexual harassment for many years. only the targets, but their families. In many cases, the people who bully and demean keep their positions (or get promoted), their status and their power, even as their institutions’ findings of misbehavior remain confidential. However, the people who they have targeted find themselves with few options to pursue their cases after reporting internally. External legal aid is rarely feasible; universities have the funds individuals don’t to pay for lawyers to defend themselves. Comaroff was disciplined. The investigating dean chastised those academics who rushed to Comaroff’s defense before the report was released. She reminded them how targets might decide not to come forward with their experiences of workplace in the light of so many powerful people who would support an abuser. But the scientific community and public need to be more proactive about these cases and demand accountability and responsibility from the supporters and members of the investigation committee. Everyone must work together to ensure that people who report ABUSE are supported, and that perpetrators and their supporters receive consequential actions. After all, many lives (including my own) and even scientific integrity have been significantly affected by academic bullying or sexual harassment. It is high time to diminish these behaviors in our science backyard
Download View in BrowserThe Foundation for Global Sports Development delivers and supports initiatives that promote fair play, education, and the benefits of abuse-free sport for youth.
White Law PLLC was founded to provide more personalized representation to clients facing legal dilemmas. Whether you have an issue that is complex or relatively straightforward, any legal matter can have a significant impact on your life. Our team of experienced lawyers based in Okemos, Michigan, strive to deliver outstanding legal services that exceed your expectations. We utilize our extensive legal knowledge and the latest in technology to bring you effective and proven solutions to your legal issues.