Nearly 90 colleges and universities are now under formal investigation for allegedly mishandling sexual assault cases on campus. Many aspects of the reporting process, and what happens afterward, are now under review - including whose responsibility it is to report cases of sexual assault. On Campus reports on the role of resident assistants, who live in dorms and mentor younger students, and whom colleges put squarely in the middle of the issue.
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There’s no federal law saying RAs must report assaults, but there is one requiring responsible employees - professors and student deans - disclose what they know. And most schools put RAs in that same category.
Katie O’Dair handles sexual assault at Boston College, where RAs are considered responsible employees and mandatory reporters.
“Campus sexual violence is a very difficult issue, but our students are prepared to do that,” O’Dair said. “What we have found is that it doesn’t inhibit students from continuing to disclose, because we believe they are telling the RA for a reason, and that is to seek support and assistance.”
