Federal Court Stifles the Campus SaVE Act

Wendy Murphy March 31, 2015 2 0 12252

In an important court ruling last week, a federal judge in D.C. ruled that the Campus SaVE Act can have “no effect” on Title IX. This was a critically important victory and an important first step on the way to ensuring that no sexual assault victim on any campus is subjected to second-class justice when she seeks redress in the aftermath of sex-based violence (sexual assault, dating violence and stalking.)

An Open Letter To Harvard Law Professor Nancy Gertner

Wendy Murphy February 2, 2015 7 0 17050

I’ve read your recent articles about campus sexual assault. I appreciate and respect your position as an advocate for accused sex offenders, but please stop using your gender and your status as a feminist to persuade others that you are also an advocate for women’s safety and equality. Indeed, contrary to your claim that you have fought hard to improve the law for rape victims, you have, in my opinion, worked hard to make things worse.

It’s Not Just Colleges – Elementary And Secondary Schools Under Investigation For Title IX Violations

James R. Marsh November 19, 2014 0 0 5079

Here is a chart of 24 elementary and secondary schools that have pending Title IX sexual violence investigations as of November 12, 2014, including the dates the specific investigations were initiated.

Campus Predators: Who Are They?

Katie M. Shipp September 5, 2014 2 0 12484

In order to protect yourself from predatory rapists, it helps to understand the motivations, behaviors, attitudes, and modus operandi of these serial offenders. The term "date rape" has served to obscure one of the unpleasant facts about sexual violence in the college environment: that just as in the larger community, the majority of this violence is committed by predatory individuals who tend to be serial and multi-faceted offenders. Research has discovered that each campus rapist averages between seven and eleven victims. Clearly a small number of perpetrators can result in a huge number of victims; just 40 rapists can sexually assault and rape upwards of 400 women.

Campus Report: Anatomy of a Rape Case at the University of Virginia

James R. Marsh May 2, 2014 1 0 6290

“This was a very difficult case. Ms. X provides a very compelling and believable account of the events and has clearly been affected by this incident. Mr. Y, your behavior was crass and disrespectful but this panel could not come to a unanimous conclusion that the policy had been violated in this instance. That said, this panel urges you, Mr. Y, to evaluate your actions and your treatment of women in the future. We would strongly suggest that you consider counseling around the issue of consent and respecting the wishes of your sexual partners. The panel wishes Ms. X well as she continues to work through the trauma that this incident has clearly caused.”

These are the words that Dean E. read out loud at the conclusion of a grueling ten-hour hearing in which I had to single-handedly defend my case against the person who had drugged and raped me last December.

Office For Civil Rights Releases New Guidance: Questions And Answers On Title IX And Sexual Violence

James R. Marsh April 29, 2014 0 0 6461

On April 28, 2014, the United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights released a new guidance entitled Questions and Answers on Title IX and Sexual Violence.Here is their summary of the Guidance.

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

James R. Marsh March 1, 2014 2 0 8622

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.