[WileECoyote06]

BUT that act requires the school to make sure that sexual assault, rapes, violence is reported and made public. It does not prohibit the victim from contacting the police first. The victim can still contact the school officials after they have first called the police to the scene

Not all sexual assaults happen like an after school special or an episode of law & order...

That's true but you still need evidence. The days are gone where you can accuse someone of rape with out evidence or some other mitigating factors.  I'm not saying it did not happen, but it becomes a steep hill to climb when you delay. The male's word is just as good as hers. Here is another question, why isn't she going after her attacker also? Could it be that she talked to the magistrate and was told her that there is not enough evidence to make an arrest? By default, she decided that the school is the low hanging fruit on the way to a potential financial settlement? Basically if the school starts punishing staff members,  in essence that is admitting guilt, which strengthens her hand as it relates to an eventual financial settlement.

Consider this, suppose she went to the school and discussed it, but  an internal investigation  found there was not enough evidence to take it further, then what?

Also why have her squad  mates taken one step back and left her hanging alone? Typically when you have a sisterhood such as with cheerleaders, they stick together and are supportive of one of their own.

Could there have been some inference from the college in keeping her from going to the police, yes but here is the rub with that? I can see the band director trying to protect one of his members, but I just don't see the cheerleader coach protecting a band member for assaulting one of her girls? 

This whole situation smells a little bit fishy to me.

Oh they are going after him. His name is all over social media.

Also their are flyers with his picture posted on campus with flyers with his name , address and phone number. It reads, ...I Am a Rapist, Beware of me. My cell phone number is ###-###-####, Will you be the next rape victim

I would love to know the backstory. Why were there no criminal charges?  I have compassion for people who are assaulted but when it happens, you have to make sure everything is in place to support your claim. These are serious charges where no-one emerges unscathed.  Unless her supporters were in the room or have seen some irrefutable evidence,  they are wrong to out the guy that way. Supporting your girl is not reason enough to do that.

Nearly 80% of rapes and sexual assaults go unreported.  I don't think it's fair to dismiss claims just because a person didn't involve law enforcement.  She may have been traumatized. 

Ultimately, if the university officials refused to or failed to report an incident of which they had knowledge or were informed; they are wrong.   The policy has changed slightly since the DeVos administration took over, and I'm not familiar with all of the changes.  That being said, most colleges will still hold staff/faculty/coaches/advisers accountable, for not reporting it.  They will probably be terminated.

[Aggie D.]

There are so many questions with this situation.  I question the whole social media approach to trying to resolve the issue.  However, the concern here is did she reported this matter to her coaches and did they immediately act?  If she reported the rape to her Cheer coaches and they failed to immediately act that is a major problem that should certainly have serious consequences.   

[InTheHunt]

BUT that act requires the school to make sure that sexual assault, rapes, violence is reported and made public. It does not prohibit the victim from contacting the police first. The victim can still contact the school officials after they have first called the police to the scene

Not all sexual assaults happen like an after school special or an episode of law & order...

That's true but you still need evidence. The days are gone where you can accuse someone of rape with out evidence or some other mitigating factors.  I'm not saying it did not happen, but it becomes a steep hill to climb when you delay. The male's word is just as good as hers. Here is another question, why isn't she going after her attacker also? Could it be that she talked to the magistrate and was told her that there is not enough evidence to make an arrest? By default, she decided that the school is the low hanging fruit on the way to a potential financial settlement? Basically if the school starts punishing staff members,  in essence that is admitting guilt, which strengthens her hand as it relates to an eventual financial settlement.

Consider this, suppose she went to the school and discussed it, but  an internal investigation  found there was not enough evidence to take it further, then what?

Also why have her squad  mates taken one step back and left her hanging alone? Typically when you have a sisterhood such as with cheerleaders, they stick together and are supportive of one of their own.

Could there have been some inference from the college in keeping her from going to the police, yes but here is the rub with that? I can see the band director trying to protect one of his members, but I just don't see the cheerleader coach protecting a band member for assaulting one of her girls? 

This whole situation smells a little bit fishy to me.

Well her cheer mates, including the captain has made a statement supporting the young lady on social media and denied that they aren't supporting her. We shall see how this plays out...

From what I saw on Twitter, she's getting 100% support from women. No one is questioning the validity of the  situation at all. Yet the 'gay guy' from Empire is forced to defend himself because black bloggers are raking him over the coals and are saying he make the situation up. Why do we automatically believe women when they make these types of accusations? I can tell you story after story of women who made up assault charge just to get even with a man. It happened to a friend of mind last month. He left his wife and moved in with his girlfriend. Wife lured him back over, funked him and waited till he went to sleep, took pictures of him in bed naked and sent them to the girlfriend and then she called the cops and told them he assaulted her. That was her way of saying, 'I'm having the final word in this situation'. When he told me this, I cussed his little a$$ out for being so freaking stupid by jumping back into her bed.  It is because of people like his ex,  I now need proof before I believe such accusations.

The Empire guy story seems a bit strange... 2 random Trump supporters ran into him at 2am with mark on, and knew who he was and beat him up and tied a rope around his neck and he kept the rope around his neck for a hour... and refused medical transportion even after having bleach poured on his face... AND he happens to have new song out... and his case is being investigated. 

The student at A&T claims her situation wasn't investigated.  Two totally different situations.   

[Capler]

There are so many questions with this situation.  I question the whole social media approach to trying to resolve the issue.  However, the concern here is did she reported this matter to her coaches and did they immediately act?  If she reported the rape to her Cheer coaches and they failed to immediately act that is a major problem that should certainly have serious consequences.

There are two levels of reporting here. First there is reporting with law enforcement. The university can't just haul off and start punishing people without some  confirmation that the crime actually occurred.  Remember the Duke lacrosse case? The next step is for university officials is to use information gathered from law enforcement and take action.

My gut feeling suggests  that the young lady did not go to the local police but instead told her coaches at some point later. (I honestly feel her coaches would have taken her to the hospital, if she would have gone to them immediately.)  The university likely did a cursory investigation by basically interviewing both people. Once both sides gave their version, it was determined that there was not enough evidence to take it further. This probably outraged the young lady, which forced her to go nuclear against the college.  She likely feels that the college should have fired  everybody associated with the situation based on her words. When that did not happen, 'forget the boy who actually assaulted you', it is time to burn down the entire village.  Sadly this is the way many millennials think.

[Capler]

N.C. A&T cheerleader calls for removal of her coaches because she says they failed to report her rape

GREENSBORO — A cheerleader at N.C. A&T is demanding the immediate removal of her coaches after she says they failed to report her rape to the university's Title IX coordinator.

The woman, who identified herself as the victim on social media, said in a letter posted on social media that she is a freshman marketing student and a member of the school's Blue Squad cheerleading team. She wrote that she had been raped by a graduating senior who is a former member of the Blue and Gold Marching Machine.

The News & Record does not name victims of sexual violence.

Greensboro police received a report of the rape from the university's police in fall 2018 and opened an investigation on Nov. 16. According to the police report, the rape happened at Campus Crossing Apartments at 2813 Spring Garden St. in Greensboro.

On various social media sites, the woman said she had reported the rape to the cheerleading coaches and was met with a "lack of empathy and responsibility."

A&T's website includes a section that answers questions for victims of sexual misconduct, a Title IX violation, including whether there is a cost for counseling, whether they should go to police and what happens if they were drinking underage at the time of the sexual assault.

Students do not have to report sexual misconduct to the Title IX coordinator, but a school employee must and is encouraged to do so within 24 hours, according to the Q&A on the website.


The student said her coaches violated that policy.

Tiffany Jones, the university's director of media relations, said in an email that privacy laws prevented the school from discussing the matter.


"We are deeply saddened to hear of any allegation of sexual assault and take such allegations very seriously," Jones wrote. "The university will continue to pursue investigations regarding any claim and provide care and assistance to any victim of an assault in our community, as well as work with authorities to bring perpetrators to justice."

The freshman wrote in the letter that her rape had led to bullying by her teammates. She said she also had been blamed for the rape.

In her letter, the woman said that keeping the coaches in place perpetuates a culture where protecting the sport's brand is more important than preventing sexual assaults and victim blaming.

Several cheerleaders, many from the Gold Squad, tweeted out support for the woman.

The student's tweet has led to many other women coming forward on social media to discuss their own sexual assaults at the university, including naming their alleged attackers and publishing their photos.

https://www.greensboro.com/news/crime/n-c-a-t-cheerleader-calls-for-removal-of-her/article_223201d6-90bd-59ca-ab65-2f255ce52ba8.html

[Capler]

The big questions here per the article above are...

What was the date of the rape?

When did she notify her coaches?

When did A&T police get involved and who called them?

What did their investigation find?

We know they turned it over to Greensboro police on Nov. 16.

What did Greensboro police find?

So far the published article supports my earlier assertions.  A&T police did not have enough evidence and apparently Greensboro police don't have it either. Otherwise, charges would have been filed. The young lady has taken this matter into her own hands, seeking justice. In actuality, if she is willing to go this far, she must have been assaulted.   

Just talked to one of my co workers about this and she works across the street from Campus Crossing. Keep in mind  Campus Crossing is basically on UNCG campus.  She recalls see a  police detective talking to an A&T band member on two separate occasions back in November. She took note because he had on a band shirt, my friend is an A&T band head, and Campus Crossing is mainly filled with UNCG students.

[InTheHunt]

All institutional officials with significant responsibility for campus and student activities are referred to in the Clery Act as a Campus Security Authority (CSA).

All CSA’s have reporting obligations under the Clery Act. Faculty who serve as advisors to student groups, coaches, and staff involved in student affairs are all included in this group. Only professional mental health and pastoral counselors are exempt from reporting when acting in these roles.

The United States Department of Education is charged with enforcing the Jeanne Clery Act and may level civil penalties against institutions of higher education up to $35,000 per violation or may suspend them from participating in federal student financial aid programs.

Basically if the cheer coach failed to report then that is a Clery Act Violation. Regardless of if she thought it was credible or not. If true she failed to report then she should be fired.

[WileECoyote06]

All institutional officials with significant responsibility for campus and student activities are referred to in the Clery Act as a Campus Security Authority (CSA).

All CSA’s have reporting obligations under the Clery Act. Faculty who serve as advisors to student groups, coaches, and staff involved in student affairs are all included in this group. Only professional mental health and pastoral counselors are exempt from reporting when acting in these roles.

The United States Department of Education is charged with enforcing the Jeanne Clery Act and may level civil penalties against institutions of higher education up to $35,000 per violation or may suspend them from participating in federal student financial aid programs.

Basically if the cheer coach failed to report then that is a Clery Act Violation. Regardless of if she thought it was credible or not. If true she failed to report then she should be fired.

Yep.  It's in our club adviser handbook at Central.  Schools don't play around with Title IX/Clery violations.

[Decks]

The big questions here per the article above are...

What was the date of the rape?

When did she notify her coaches?

When did A&T police get involved and who called them?

What did their investigation find?

We know they turned it over to Greensboro police on Nov. 16.

What did Greensboro police find?

So far the published article supports my earlier assertions.  A&T police did not have enough evidence and apparently Greensboro police don't have it either. Otherwise, charges would have been filed. The young lady has taken this matter into her own hands, seeking justice. In actuality, if she is willing to go this far, she must have been assaulted.   

Just talked to one of my co workers about this and she works across the street from Campus Crossing. Keep in mind  Campus Crossing is basically on UNCG campus.  She recalls see a  police detective talking to an A&T band member on two separate occasions back in November. She took note because he had on a band shirt, my friend is an A&T band head, and Campus Crossing is mainly filled with UNCG students.

All valid questions. Perhaps she is frustrated at how long it's taking to bring charges? GPD has had this since Nov 16 and still no decision?

[Capler]

I wonder what type of agreement, if any, those off campus apartments have with the colleges? It is my understanding that they are not exclusively for students. Anybody can live there, if you care to be around a bunch of students.

What off-campus activities qualify to be reported?

Not all off-campus student activities and travel needs to be reported. To be Clery reportable, the activity must meet certain requirements.

First, the university must have control over the space used for the student activity and/or travel. Control, as defined by the Clery Act, means that there is a written agreement (no matter how informal) directly between the university and the end provider for use of the space. Some examples of a written agreement include reserving hotel rooms, leasing apartments, leasing space for athletic purposes, or an agreement for academic space. Even if the agreement is in e-mail form, and there is no charge associated with the agreement, the space may still qualify as Clery reportable.

Second, the controlled space must be used in direct support of, or in relation to, the institution’s educational purposes and frequented by students.

[Bearforlife]

Cap, your questions are really indicative of why most victims fail to report assault and even if they do, they don't want to seek prosecution. Black women are the most at risk group for sexual assault and the least likely to report it. When a black woman is assaulted by a black man, she's even less likely to seek intervention because of racial loyalty.

Reporting an assault does not always involve the police. Because rape is a crime of power and opportunity, it is always assaulter said/victim said (I removed gender b/c men are assaulted too). Even in cases where a perpetrator recorded or photographed the crime, police find it difficult to bring charges and the DA is reluctant to prosecute. Nationwide, there is an egregious backlog of rape kits that have not been processed. So...with all that...no most people who are assaulted are not going to report or try to file charges. The odds are against them.

As far as the university goes, advisors, executives, residence life personnel and numerous others have a mandatory reporting responsibility. You must at minimum report it to your supervisor. This is in keeping with the Clery Act, Title IX, and the Civil Rights Act. You can't bully the victim, belittle the victim and you're not supposed to shame the victim.

Also, even if an assault takes place off campus, if it involves students, it's as if it took place on campus. Students are bound by their student handbook and code of conduct both on and off campus. Judicial procedures and due process should've been followed...period.

[Aggie One]

I wonder what type of agreement, if any, those off campus apartments have with the colleges? It is my understanding that they are not exclusively for students. Anybody can live there, if you care to be around a bunch of students.

What off-campus activities qualify to be reported?

Not all off-campus student activities and travel needs to be reported. To be Clery reportable, the activity must meet certain requirements.

First, the university must have control over the space used for the student activity and/or travel. Control, as defined by the Clery Act, means that there is a written agreement (no matter how informal) directly between the university and the end provider for use of the space. Some examples of a written agreement include reserving hotel rooms, leasing apartments, leasing space for athletic purposes, or an agreement for academic space. Even if the agreement is in e-mail form, and there is no charge associated with the agreement, the space may still qualify as Clery reportable.

Second, the controlled space must be used in direct support of, or in relation to, the institution’s educational purposes and frequented by students.

There in may lie the rub in all of this.

[Capler]

Bear, i get what you are saying and it is true, from a historic perspective. Yes we should acknowledge and  work hard to address past inadequacies black women were subjected to, but at the same time that does not mean women should be given the benefit of the doubt based solely on her word. Do not put my son on trial and convict him because women have a history of marginalization. That is what those students are doing on A&T's campus to this young man. If it is a she said-he said situation, they should chill and wait for all the evidence.

Bear I know you are not going to like what I'm about to say, and will suggest men/the system do this all the time as a way of demonizing women, but I'm going to say it anyway.

This whole situation seems like some petty female stuff between the student,  her coach, and the other members of the squad. (I'll own that comment as being chauvinistic, but I will also call out women for leveling the same charges against men.) In the Twitter comment section, many team members showed support, but in her original Tweet, she accused them of bullying and harassment. Why the contradiction? Also the coach suspended her from the squad and had to reinstate her? What is up with that.  IMO, in her original Tweet, this young lady had an ax to grind with her coach and teammates. Sorry Bear, but this is as clear as the day is long.

I really take issue with black folk torching the entire village because we are mad at an individual. Unfortunately, that is what we do. It is not politically correct to say this but  A&T is much bigger than a single individual and their problems and we all should do what is needed to protect her. No you don't ignore wrong doings, but at the same time, you don't do a public lynching that can cause irreparable damage to the institutions that has helped so many.  These type of things happen on colleges quite frequently, yet it is A&T getting the bad media press, and getting dragged on social media by students.

I've been at UNCG damn near 30 years, and not once do I recall seeing a potential rape situation getting this type of media coverage.

[Bearforlife]

Cap...I didn't speak to this specific situation.

In a he said/she said there is no evidence Cap. One person says it was non-consensual. One person doesn't. A college/university doesn't have the same level of evidentiary responsibility as legal organizations. Yes, your comments are chauvinistic, outdated and misogynist. 1 in 3 Black women will be raped/assaulted by age 18. That's almost 50% of all black women walking this earth. Only 1 in 15 will report it TO ANYONE.

Maybe she had an ax to grind AND she was assaulted. The two things aren't mutually exclusive. They can both exist at the same time. UNCG and the other PWIs in the UNC system have PR teams to cover stuff like this. Everything black folk do or don't do is amplified. You can call a news outlet with a similar story from a PWI and they'll refuse to run it. But be an HBCU and they will beat it to death. Cmon...media has been doing that forever.

By the way...rape and sexual assault is almost never prosecuted. Perpetrators WITH evidence against them rarely ever serve a day. Because, yes, the system is set up to lay sexual morality at the feet of women and girls and not on men. We know this. And calling people to accountability is not torching the village.

[Capler]

Cap...I didn't speak to this specific situation.

In a he said/she said there is no evidence Cap. One person says it was non-consensual. One person doesn't. A college/university doesn't have the same level of evidentiary responsibility as legal organizations. Yes, your comments are chauvinistic, outdated and misogynist. 1 in 3 Black women will be raped/assaulted by age 18. That's almost 50% of all black women walking this earth. Only 1 in 15 will report it TO ANYONE.

Maybe she had an ax to grind AND she was assaulted. The two things aren't mutually exclusive. They can both exist at the same time. UNCG and the other PWIs in the UNC system have PR teams to cover stuff like this. Everything black folk do or don't do is amplified. You can call a news outlet with a similar story from a PWI and they'll refuse to run it. But be an HBCU and they will beat it to death. Cmon...media has been doing that forever.

By the way...rape and sexual assault is almost never prosecuted. Perpetrators WITH evidence against them rarely ever serve a day. Because, yes, the system is set up to lay sexual morality at the feet of women and girls and not on men. We know this. And calling people to accountability is not torching the village.

I agree with everything you said.