Resolution to strengthen #MeToo in higher education
WHEREAS 2018 has seen a rising social movement under the #MeToo banner that is confronting sexual harassment in a variety of industries. Sexual harassment is clearly a worldwide phenomenon which impacts people in every country, of every race, and of all genders. This is a phenomenon which has hidden in plain sight for too long.
WHEREAS there has been a long history of sexual harassment and abuse in the academic community, in particular which affects students and student workers. As an organization, CGEU and member unions are part of this community. We must note that our members may have been harassers, survivors, or witnesses; to no degree can we accept any notion that we are immune or apart from this issue. This type of sexual violence is not restricted to powerful administrators and professors taking advantage of students. We must be prepared to hold ourselves, colleagues, and friends accountable as well.
WHEREAS graduate employee organizations need to recognize the need for social justice issues as a core element in our organizing. Protecting our members from abuse and working to improve the safety of our campus community is a core principle in the student labor movement. Sexual harassment is a form of violence which must be confronted and condemned by all CGEU members.
BE IT RESOLVED THAT CGEU and member organizations shall endorse a statement of support for the #MeToo movement. Furthermore, CGEU affiliates shall promote breaking the culture of silence on university campuses and checking in with vulnerable populations on campus. To that end, future CGEU events should include a mechanism for individuals to report any specific issues of harassment in an equitable and restorative manner.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT CGEU shall organize and maintain a working group and webpage to develop policies, inter-campus support. Member organizations are encouraged to develop policies or protocols which clarify how complainants can work with unions to prevent future harassment from occurring, stop harassment which is occurring, seek redress in response to abusive situations, and inform members about other initiatives related to sexual harassment and discrimination on their campuses and wider community. CGEU shall encourage locals to adopt policies to prevent sexual harassment and support the survivors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT CGEU and Member organizations should center the survivor(s) of abuse in a way that recognizes the trauma associated with any kind of abuse. Rather than punitive focus with regard to resolving complaints, CGEU suggests the adoption of a transformative justice system that explicitly asks what justice and healing look like for the survivor and the community. This resolution calls for CGEU and member organizations to balance survivor safety and healing with holding the person causing harm accountable.