Member Center

University of Montana News

Report: UM expelled 2 alleged rapists; still has work to do

Posted: Feb 1, 2012 11:02 PM by Breanna Roy (KPAX News)
Updated: Feb 2, 2012 6:53 AM


Bookmark and Share
Rating:

0.0 (0 votes)

MISSOULA- A private investigator for the University of Montana identified nine sexual assault allegations between September 2010 and December 2011 in her report released to the public Wednesday.

One accused rapist was charged in court in January and the University of Montana expelled two other students accused of rape: one stemming from a February 2011 incident and another in October of the same year.

The University of Montana hired former Montana Supreme Court judge Diane Barz as an independent investigator to study the sexual assault allegations in December. She filed her findings in a report on Jan. 31, including several suggestions for the University of Montana to improve safety.

"The [university] has a problem of sexual assault on and off campus and needs to take steps to address it to insure the safety of all students as well as faculty, staff and guests," Barz wrote.

She suggests a mandatory 101-type class on social skills and appropriate sexual conduct for all student athletes and freshman. Barz also said coaches, teachers and staff need training on what to do when a student tells them they've been sexually assaulted.

"Training of the entire University staff...on how to report and respond to sexual assault allegations needs to take place as soon as possible," Barz wrote.

Barz listed about a dozen places, both on and off-campus, where a student can report rape, but medical confidentiality rules often prevent the school from ever hearing about it. She says UM needs another route to be notified when a student has been attacked.

"The information that should flow to the University about sexual violence must find another route," Barz said.

And she says rape witnesses and third parties should also come forward with the truth.

"I am disappointed with the lack of response from students with knowledge of house parties where the incidents were alleged to have occurred," Barz wrote. "Some that have been questioned have not been truthful."

Barz is hopeful students now back in session for spring semester will report information about rape at private parties during the fall semester.

She also suggests The University of Montana investigation move forward without her as an "outside investigator," and a review of UM investigation procedures by an independent task force a year from now.

To read the complete report, click here.

Connect with Breanna Roy Facebook Twitter Email

Comments

KPAX.com is social!

Recent Top Stories