Media coverage of the
#MeToo movement and allegations that Justice Kavanaugh committed sexual assault
fueled public discourse about sexual harassment and sexual violence throughout
the past year. Two sets of competing narratives emerged about both the nature
of sexual harassment and sexual violence and the appropriate institutional and
public responses to disclosures and allegations. One set of narratives focused
on survivors’ experiences of trauma, barriers to accessing resources, and
inadequate responses following disclosures. The other set of narratives
centered on individuals accused of committing sexual harassment or sexual
violence, their identification as victims of false allegations, and claims of
inadequate due process protections. In this presentation, scholars use the
context of campus sexual misconduct and the proposed changes to Title IX
guidance to address the wide range of narratives impacting sexual harassment
and sexual violence law and policy.