Title IX Student Advising Services - Independent Investigations - Consulting
Campus Investigations Independent Investigations
Independent Campus Investigations
Recent developments in federal law, Title IX, VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) and the Clery Act have highlighted the importance of fair and thorough investigations of claims of sexual misconduct on educational campuses around the country. What has emerged from the examination of these issues is the fact that our schools and their staff may not always be the individuals best situated or qualified to conduct the independent and unbiased investigations that these matters demand.
Campus Investigations, LLC can provide the balanced, qualified and expert approach that has been lacking. We can ensure a thorough investigation of any claim of misconduct by an objective and experienced team of investigators trained and skilled in interviewing, researching, and analyzing matters such as these. We conduct all investigations with sensitivity, integrity and discretion.
Hiring an independent team to investigate allegations of abuse on campus permits the educational institution to relieve all parties involved, as well as the student body as a whole, from any suspicion of bias or secrecy on the part of the institution. It allows the institution to provide the support role it needs to provide to all parties involved without concern that the lines become blurred between the adjudicatory, advocacy and support roles that must be provided. Furthermore, campus security personnel often are not experienced in interviewing witnesses regarding such sensitive matters as sexual misconduct, nor familiar with the critically important specific approaches that should be taken depending on the witness to be interviewed and information to be gathered. For more on the value of hiring an independent, experienced investigator, see the related column by Shanlon Wu of the Huffington Post, below, and at the following link.
Title IX Student Advising Services
Campus Investigations, LLC also offers expert, compassionate and sound support to parties going through the Title IX process through its Advising Services. Both Complainants and Respondents are entitled under their school's policies, to consult with an advisor, and typically bring that advisor to most hearings and interviews. Campus Investigations advisors offer assistance to students on any side of the issue and can advise the parties in gathering and assembling evidence most helpful to support their case, guide them through what can be a complicated process and offer the emotional support that often is necessary.
Consulting
Creating a workplace environment that is welcoming and tolerant of all employees is critical for ensuring satisfied employees who are committed to and invested in the success of their employer. It also is vital for preventing claims of hostile work environment. It is incumbent upon the employer to ensure that the atmosphere remains positive and accepting for all of its staff. One way to achieve this is through conducting periodic anonymous interviews with staff to assess the current climate of the office. Campus Investigations can conduct such interviews with discretion and objectivity, prepare a report and provide specific recommendations to employers while maintaining the anonymity of those interviewed.