Comment on Kaaron Gillett's post:
Your reflection captures something many of us experience with Title IX — we know the general concept, but learn how much depth and complexity sit beneath the surface. The interconnection between VAWA and the Clery Act adds layers that often surprise faculty and staff who haven't closely engaged with these laws before.
Your point about VAWA and the Clery Act expanding the framework is one I'm taking back into my own thinking. Title IX alone covers sex-based discrimination, but VAWA added specific reporting obligations for dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking — making the Annual Security Report a much more comprehensive document. The Clery Act tied these obligations to public accountability by requiring the publication of crime statistics.
Your insight about being part of the solution resonates deeply. Faculty and staff are not passive observers in campus safety. As Responsible Employees, we carry obligations to report, refer, and respond appropriately when students disclose. Knowing the framework allows us to fulfill that role with confidence rather than hesitation.
In my context at an Early College Center, your principle applies daily — being prepared to support students who may disclose, while staying within the boundaries of my role.
Thank you for naming this clearly.
