Sexual violence complaints against faculty now handled by investigative officer

Beginning March 1, sexual violence complaints against faculty will be funneled through the Office of the Sexual Violence Investigative Officer.

At a University Council meeting on Jan. 28, Sexual Violence Investigative Officer Deborah Harley said her office only handles complaints against students. Provost Vincent Price quickly added that complaints against faculty would soon go through her office as well. This new policy, published in the Penn Almanac today, lays out that change.

The four-page document includes sections on confidentiality and resources, but the bulk of the text lays out the steps involved in filing a complaint. 

Complaints must be submitted in writing to the Office of the Sexual Violence Investigative Officer, and complainants can also choose to file a report with the district attorney of the Office of Civil Rights of the United States Department of Education. Harley will make a preliminary determination of whether or not the complaint falls under the university’s policy. If it does, an investigation will follow. The matter can be resolved with or without a hearing, depending on the wishes of the complainant and respondent. The new policy also lays out specific rights and protections for both parties.

Harley was appointed sexual violence investigative officer in January. She is the second person to hold this position since its creation in January of last year. Initial SVIO Christopher Mallios left the position in December when he was elected to be a judge of the Philadelphia’s Court of Common Pleas, and Harley took over immediately.