Navigating Harassment and Assault at Debate Camp

Disclaimer

Each camp has individual policies regarding what happens in the event of an instance of sexual assault or harassment. It is therefore important to note that because of the way these individual policies operate the facts stated in this guide may be incorrect for the specific summer institution you are attending. The best way to make sure you have information that is 100 percent correct is to talk to a staff member at the summer institution that you are attending.

Introduction

In an ideal world, everyone should have the ability to enjoy a safe and educational debate camp experience without any factors distracting from the process of growing as a debater. However, that is not the case. There is a long history of incidents of many sorts during debate camp. The purpose of this guide is to hopefully increase clarity and provide a resource for navigating issues of harassment and assault.

Prior to an Incident

Be Smart About Your Camp Choice---

Before going to camp, make sure to scour their website and ask questions. You are the one with the power to choose a camp that is the best fit for both your individual safety and whatever your individual priorities are.  

Ask Questions---

The best way to protect yourself and your friends is to ask questions at the start of debate camp. It is very easy to say that nothing is going to happen, but the only way to make sure you know what to do in the event of an incident is to ask questions on the front end. Some of these questions can include:

---What will happen if a student reports an incident of harassment or assault?

---Does the camp have to report externally to the university where the camp takes place about incidents of harassment or assault? Or are they handled internally?

---What is the best way to report an incident of assault or harassment?

Communicate---

The most important part of navigating these situations is having a support system and someone that you trust. Having a conversation with your friends before entering camp can make a world of difference in terms of creating preventative measures to keep you and your friends safe.

Reporting Process

Understanding Reporting Process

There are generally two options for the policies that can govern camps. The first is camps that are only governed by Title Nine and the others are camps that are governed by Title Nine, and individual camp policies. Most camps at universities are guided by Title Nine, as it is the way to reduce liability to the camp. Shielding themselves from liability is a frame the vast majority of camps will use for this process.

All camp adults are mandatory reporters. Mandatory reporting laws vary from state to state. However, mandatory reporting means that, to shield themselves from liability, any adult you tell will be required to report it to the Title Nine Office.

Title Nine

Title IX exists as the main piece of legal guidance that institutions have for incidents of any form of discrimination or harassment. The article in Resources under “Step-By-Step Guide for Survivors” should be the first read for understanding Title Nine. It highlights how there is always a presumption of innocence for the accused, the process of the investigation, the submission of evidence, the right to advisor/attorney, the hearing/trial process, and imposing penalties.

This process is in the hands of the survivor in the situation. Just because a case is reported to the Title Nine office does not mean that there has to be a formal trial. However, in order to get someone kicked out of camp, there has to be a formal trial.

Outside of a Title Nine trial, there are a few steps that can be taken while still shielding the camp from liability:

Moving Labs---if the survivor wants to move labs away from someone that makes them uncomfortable, that does not require a trial.

Camp Level No Contact---think of this like a restraining order at the level of the camp.  

Resources

FAQ on Title Nine---https://www.aauw.org/resources/legal/laf/title-ix/

Step-By-Step Guide for Survivors---https://www.equalrights.org/issue/the-title-ix-process/#:~:text=About%201%20%E2%80%93%203%20weeks%20later,an%20investigation%20will%20take%20place.

Legal Understanding the Reporting Process---https://www.new-york-lawyers.org/understanding-the-title-ix-investigative-process-from-start-to-f.html

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