Improve the Title IX process by incorporating university advocates and trauma-informed practices into the investigation. 

The Title IX process at Chapman lacks trauma-informed language and practices, leading to the retraumatization of survivors of sexual violence who are seeking to report their assault to the university. While the Title IX Coordinators receive training on university policies and procedures for addressing sexual harassment and violence on campus, their approach lacks a trauma-informed lens.

Survivors often turn to the Title IX office as a first resort, with hopes of receiving comfort and support, but are instead met with a very formal legal process that can feel overwhelming. Many students find this process to be stressful, lengthy, and impersonal. The legal language and formal procedures have caused many survivors to feel like their case is out of their control, further taking autonomy away from the survivor. Not only does this experience harm their recovery, but it also decreases the likelihood of survivors reporting their assault to authorities. 

To better support the unique and complex needs of survivors, we propose the following: 

1. Title IX coordinators are required to offer a campus advocate at all meetings that involve survivors of sexual violence, to support them through the legal process while advocating for their needs. Advocates are Chapman employees who are not mandated reporters and have unique advocacy training, including trauma-informed training. This requirement can only be waived if requested by the survivors themselves. 
2. Mandated reporters, such as Public Safety, Title IX Coordinators, and Residential Life employees, must offer an advocate when referring survivors to resources and encourage survivors to work with an advocate if reporting to Title IX. An infographic detailing resources for survivors will be provided and made easily accessible to survivors who may not wish to go through the Title IX process. 

The following quotes are from stories told by survivors who went through the Title IX process at Chapman:

Quote 1: “When I transferred to Chapman, I got sexually assaulted on campus. When I took my case to [the Title IX coordinator], she told me that it was sexual harassment, not sexual assault. She put a thick packet in front of me, and went over it without pausing and I felt very overwhelmed and just left. I feel like if I had an advocate in the room, who could maybe take time to pause and go over it slowly, or just validate that I had been sexually assaulted, I would have felt more comfortable and supported. I knew Dani Smith, a campus advocate, from Healthy Panther and I went to her for resources and such after.”

Quote 2: “While I truly do value the time and effort that the Title IX staff put into my investigation, I did not have a clear idea of the resources and support measures available to me. During my first meeting where I reported my incident, there was no advocate present and no person that could help support me through telling my story. I was unaware that Dani Smith existed, and the first impression I had of the Title IX experience felt very disempowering. Throughout the 6 months my case had lasted, I noticed big pieces of information being left out of documents or being reported incorrectly, putting me in a position where I had to constantly review my case every single day just to ensure I got justice in the end. I walked out of the experience exhausted and feeling like just a case number to the university rather than a person.” 

Quote 3: “My experience with Title IX has been difficult, confusing, and emotionally draining. Fortunately, I have had the support of Chapman Public Safety, Dani Smith, and my professors which has made the process much more manageable. I wish more people knew about the resources and services that have helped me because I don’t know where I’d be without them and I am eternally grateful for the people who have empowered me to speak up, share my story, and keep other students safe.”

The Title IX office is intended to serve students and protect our community. We believe these changes will help the Title IX office at Chapman achieve this mission, by making it more approachable and accessible to survivors. Our hope is that improving Title IX at Chapman may empower more survivors to share their stories and seek justice for their assault.