Facing Investigation and Critical Publicity, GWU Hires New Sex Workers

WASHINGTON - Aug. 14, 2017 - PRLog -- Faced with a newly-announced federal investigation (its second in just several years) of allegations that its handling of complaints of date rape and other sexual assaults violated Title IX, as well as adverse publicity about how that office has remained almost un-staffed for a long time, George Washington University [GWU] has just suddenly hired three new workers for the office, but, strangely, is refusing to name two of the three.

        On Thursday, news station WTOP ran an unflattering report (both on the air and on its website) entitled "GW University Facing Federal Probe over Reports of Sexual Harassment."

        It noted that: "Investigators with the U.S. Department of Education have launched a probe at The George Washington University, looking at how the school has been dealing with reports of sexual harassment and violence. . . . 'It's a very serious thing,' said John Banzhaf, a law professor at the university. 'Being under investigation for a possible Title IX violation generally means an allegation that the university did not adequately investigate and take action regarding complaints of sexual assault.'"

        At the time the investigation began, two high-level officials involved in this area have resigned so far during this academic year; the former assistant director for sexual assault prevention and response left in January after serving less than two years; no fewer than three different people have served in the role of victim services coordinator; and there was only full-time permanent staff member in the entire Title IX office.

        Banzhaf and the university's own school newspaper had publicly criticized the University's long delays in filling vacant position in this crucial area.

        Indeed, Banzhaf had gone even further, suggesting what he said was a much better method for handling such complaints.  WTOP wrote: "'If they had done that, almost certainly there would not have been [a federal] investigation,' Banzhaf said."

        It is not known whether this failure to promptly fill positions related to campus rapes was a factor in the federal investigation.

        However, Banzhaf speculated that "this investigation could easily have been avoided - and might still be avoided - by adopting a proposal by one of its own professors; one which has been featured in the Chronicle of Higher Education, U.S. News, Washington Examiner, National Public Radio, New York Times, Inside Higher Ed, and in other media, and is about to be tested in another state."

JOHN F. BANZHAF III, B.S.E.E., J.D., Sc.D.
Professor of Public Interest Law
George Washington University Law School,
FAMRI Dr. William Cahan Distinguished Professor,
Fellow, World Technology Network,
Founder, Action on Smoking and Health (ASH),
2000 H Street, NW, Wash, DC 20052, USA
(202) 994-7229 // (703) 527-8418
http://banzhaf.net/  jbanzhaf3ATgmail.com  @profbanzhaf