The conversation about sexual assault on campus has been ongoing for years now, and it shows no signs of subsiding. With the staggering rates of lawsuits filed by both complainants and respondents against colleges and universities across the nation, one thing is for sure: both sides are less than satisfied with current Title IX adjudication processes.
In this blatantly flawed system, it's apparent that nobody wins. But innocent students respondents seem to be bearing the brunt of the injustice that is rendered in campus quasi-trials. In the past, many respondents felt they had no choice but to accept their fate and watch their academic and professional goals wither away before their eyes. Now, in an almost instantaneous jolt, respondents are taking their future out of the fumbling hands of colleges and universities, and putting matters into the hands of the law.
In the past three years, hundreds of male student respondents accused of sexual misconduct have filed defamation lawsuits, claiming that they are the victims of false allegations and impartial school procedures. Alongside colleges and universities, many of these suits directly list the women who lodged the original allegations as defendants. These lawsuits stem from the very nature of sexual misconduct claims. Mere allegations are capable of completely assassinating the character of a respondent and ruining their reputation before they've been given a verdict. In an attempt for student respondents to salvage their reputation, they have opted to file lawsuits.
This trend has drawn the opinions of critics. They say that placing accusers on trial is counterproductive to the deterrence of sexual assault. For survivors who have actually been assaulted, a lawsuit can further suppress an already under-reported crime. This is a valid claim that has been acknowledged by claimants and respondents alike. However, due process advocates argue that when filed in the right circumstances - when an investigation concludes that the allegations were false and the case was mishandled by the school - a lawsuit isn't harmful in the slightest.
What many higher education institutions overlook is that in all of these matters, the futures of both complainants and respondents are at stake. To approach these cases as if this notion is a falsehood is a disservice to all parties involved. In some of these cases, male respondents have been subject to substantial damage, to large legal fees, and have had their academic and professional careers ruined without being granted the opportunity to present evidence that showed they did not engage in misconduct. Before they were disregarded and ignored. Now they're ensuring that their voices are heard.
Title IX Attorney Helping Clients Nationwide
The only way to make sure your voice is heard and your rights are upheld is to retain a student defense attorney. National Title IX attorney Joseph D. Lento has the skill, experience, and expertise to help you preserve your entitled rights under Title IX and your school's policy. For a case evaluation or more information about his representation, contact him online or give him a call at 888-535-3686 today.
Comments
There are no comments for this post. Be the first and Add your Comment below.
Leave a Comment