Bridge the Divide
Evidentiary Standards
Rachna Shah
Schools and colleges have different standards needed to take action against alleged perpetrators of sexual assault. Standards range from "guilt beyond a reasonable doubt", "preponderance of the evidence", and "clear and convincing".
Which standard would you support being implemented, and why?
ewennberg19
I believe that because colleges are not implementing criminal punishments to perpetrators of sexual violence, "preponderance of the evidence" is still a fair standard, and one that ensures that victims of sexual assault are able to seek justice after the crime committed against them. Because the enforcement institutions in colleges very different and have far more limited abilities to collect evidence, the "guilt beyond a reasonable doubt" is simply too high a standard for schools to prove guilt when it is present and places the burden of proof on the victim.
Alan Gao
I agree with ewennberg19 that preponderance of evidence still exists as a fair standard, but I believe that victims of sexual assault in colleges should have the option to pursue the harsher punishment for their attacker.
What would you consider as an appropriate punishment?
kristen blasey fordBrett Kavanaugh's ConfirmationThe Issue of Consent
Grace McCollum
kristen blasey ford
Dr. Kristen blasey ford is a 52-year-old woman who went to medical school and taught at one of the top universities in the united states, Stanford University. She accused judge Brett kavanaugh of sexual assault when he was nominated to serve on the highest court of the land, the supreme court. When she made the accusations against kavanaugh she contacted her congresswomen as well as the Washington Post. She made it very clear that she wanted her identity to stay anonymous. Ford met with her senator and the senator was convinced that for was very credible. Ford initially made it very clear she did not want her identity public but eventually it became public and she was sworn in and told her recollection of her assault. This time in history is incredible for women. The me too movement supports women victims of sexual violence and women have come together to support other women to make it known they are not alone. In light of theme too movement lots of women have come out to tell their stories. I believe Brett Kavanaugh's testimony alone showed that he was unfit to be on the supreme court. He showed uncontrollable anger and seem very irrational. Someone in that position should be able to control their emotion. He did not appear as credible. High school boys should know assaulting girls is not okay and should affect their lives including careers.
Felicity Wong
Brett Kavanaugh's Confirmation
With the recent Senate hearings for then-Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh (and in light of his recent confirmation), the #MeToo movement has been reignited following the testimony of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, an old classmate of Kavanaugh who accused him of sexual assault. Proponents of Dr. Ford across the country were outraged, with activists spreading the #ibelieveher and #believesurvivors hashtags, while Kavanaugh's supporters insinuated that Ford was accusing him falsely. Kavanaugh responded angrily in an address to the Senate concerning Ford's accusations, and investigations were conducted pertaining to the alleged sexual assault incident as well as Kavanaugh's past. What do you think about Dr. Ford's testimony? Do you think there is another credible evidence to believe her? To believe Kavanaugh? How does Kavanaugh's confirmation impact the #MeToo movement as well as the Supreme Court as an institution?
Tuhin Chakraborty
The Issue of Consent
Last month, Swedish legislators proposed a new law regarding rape and sexual assault where evidence of violence or threats were no longer required to prosecution. Now, only proof that explicitly stated consent was not present is required to criminal proceedings to begin against a defendant. This law is wonderful in the sense as it makes it easier for women to report and receive justice for alleged sexual violence cases. However, how can one explicitly prove consent? Do people sign a contract? Do they have to record a video of them saying yes? If there is no definitive proof, then it will be the woman's word against the man's (if he claims that the sex was consensual). This kind of evidence is circumstantial and not judicially sound. How do we go about this legal issue? https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/news/worldviews/wp/2017/12/20/amid-metoo-movement-and-fear-of-immigrants-sweden-proposes-tough-sexual-assault-law/