The Problem of Campus Sexual Assault

Alison Kahler March 14, 2014 0 0 5391

Recently, a friend and fellow University of Chicago alumna showed me an open letter to university president Robert Zimmer demanding that the university reevaluate its policy regarding campus sexual assaults. After reporting an assault by her then-partner and being illegally offered a mediation session by Dean of Students Susan Art, current fourth-year student Olivia Ortiz filed a complaint with the United States Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights (OCR), prompting a larger investigation of the university for possible violations of Title IX. In response, a coalition of alumni wrote and circulated the letter in question. I gladly added my name.

Allegations of a botched UVA rape investigation at center of a challenge to the Campus SaVE Act

James R. Marsh March 12, 2014 0 0 4336

Today, the local Charlottesville paper, C-Ville, published this story about the Marsh Law Firm's case against the United States Department of Education and the University of Virginia. Here are some excerpts from the piece.

Former U-Va. student seeks to block new U.S. law on campuses’ handling of sexual assaults

James R. Marsh March 4, 2014 0 0 3532

Today, The Washington Post ran this story about the Marsh Law Firm's landmark civil rights action against the United States Department of Education and the University of Virginia. Here are some excerpts:

Landmark Civil Rights Action Filed by Campus Rape Victim to Halt New Federal Law

James R. Marsh March 1, 2014 2 0 8586

A University of Virginia rape victim represented by the Marsh Law Firm has filed a landmark civil rights action to stop a new federal law from undermining pending federal investigations of UVA’s mishandling of a sexual assault case on campus.

Two separate cases—each filed as a Petition for a Writ of Mandamus and Equitable Relief—were lodged with the United States District Court for the District of Columbia on Friday, February 21, 2014 and docketed today.

Title IX Prohibits Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence at Colleges and Universities

James R. Marsh February 21, 2014 0 0 6261

On April 4, 2011, the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights issued an historic "Dear Colleague" letter which outlined the requirements colleges and universities must employ to protect students from sexual harassment and sexual violence at college. One of the primary goals of the landmark civil rights lawsuit filed by the Marsh Law Firm is to preserve the critical gains established by the DE's letter.