A lack of sexual harassment awareness leaves many victims with nowhere to turn
A former Ole Miss athletic department employee has recently sued the school claiming he was wrongfully terminated for sexual harassment. Jay D’Abramo, former media relations contact for the women’s basketball team, claims Ole Miss fired him for race discrimination following allegations that he was dating a black player. D’Abramo alleges that he was fired after an investigation concluded “there was no sexual harassment.”
This brings up bigger issues, however. Namely, what is sexual harassment, and what is Ole Miss doing to educate its employees and students of its ramifications?
The Campus Sexual Assault Victims’ Bill of Rights (1992) requires all institutions of higher learning participating in any program that utilizes federal funds to establish policies aimed at preventing sexual offenses.
Ole Miss Violence prevention coordinator, Linda Abbott, said that the violence prevention office’s main concern is educating students about the threat of sexual harassment.
“Not all of our reports want to be associated with law enforcement. Since the majority of sexual assaults are non-stranger attacks, it makes it difficult for women to report.” Abbott said.
Abbott said that the school hosts “Take Back the Night” and “Jeans for Justice Day” to provide victims an opportunity to gain closure. It also provides a space for them to speak up without fear of their attacker.
“I think these are great programs because they help raise awareness for abuse and assault against women,” Tamar Coleman, senior history major, said.
“Take Back the Night” is sponsored by the Ole Miss Violence Prevention Office and “Jeans for Justice Day” is co-sponsored by Family Crisis Services of Northwest Mississippi, Inc. and the Ole Miss Staff Council.
The University insists that, if any employee or student believes that he or she has been subjected to sexual harassment, they should:
• Immediately report this to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Regulatory Compliance
• Mail an anonymous complaint to Post Office Box 1848
• Stop by 217 Martindale Student Services Center
• Call 662-915-7735
• Email eeo@olemiss.edu
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