#OccupyBaltimore Discourages Sexual Assault Victims From Contacting Police, Offers Counseling for Perpetrators
by Derek HunterI was in downtown Baltimore Monday morning taking care of some business, so I thought I’d stroll a block over and check out the “Occupy Baltimore” crowd. Well, the word “crowd” might be an overstatement. There were about as many people as there would be homeless people on a normal day, only with tents and literature rather than Starbucks cups for holding spare change. And it’s the literature I found most interesting.
Among the literature I picked up off of their table was one titled “Security Statement.” What it said, and what it implied, was rather disturbing:
As the Security Committee of Occupy Baltimore, we release this statement to ensure the safety of our newly forming, delicate yet strong community.
Sexual abuse and assault are dehumanizing acts for the survivor as well as the abuser. It strips people of their right to safety, dignity, and respect, basic values which embody many of the intentions behind Occupy Baltimore. As a vibrant community, we recognize and give power to these values and the rights of survivors.
OK, saying you’re against “sexual abuse and assault” isn’t controversial, but do you really have to say it? Why isn’t it understood? As it turns out, that’s just the beginning of the weird. The entire “Security Statement” is about sexual assault and abuse.
Sexual abuse or assault at Occupy Baltimore is in violation of our values, and will not be tolerated. It is an explicit policy of Occupy Baltimore to prohibit abuse by any members of the community upon another person. Violation of this policy will result in the abuser no longer being welcome at the occupation.
So sexual abuse or assault are against “explicit policy” and will get you shunned? What about arrested? Those things are crimes, after all. Shouldn’t Occupy Baltimore, like every other group or individual, encourage people to contact the police to get these predators off the street? You’d think so, but you’d think wrong:
Though we do not encourage the involvement of the police in our community, the survivor has every right, and the support of Occupy Baltimore, to report the abuse to the appropriate law enforcement.
So if someone were sexually assaulted, a horrible experience, they wouldn’t be discouraged to contact the police, the “occupy community” would rather handle it internally. That’s just perverse.
The “Reporting Procedure”:
Any member of the Occupy Baltimore community who believes he/she/they have been a victim of, are aware of, or suspect a commission of sexual abuse, are encouraged to immediately report the incident to the Security Committee. T (sic)
The point person for dealing with these situations will be Koala! (sic) Largess, (443) 642-XXXX.
Survivors of Sexual Abuse will be given the support, resources, and assistance needed for their emotional and physical health.
The Occupy Baltimore prohibits retaliation against any member, survivor, or outside person who reports in good faith a complaint of an abuser or who participates in any related inquiries. False accusations of sexual abuse in bad faith can have serious consequences for those who are wrongly accused. Occupy Baltimore prohibits making false and/or malicious sexual abuse allegations, as well as providing false information during an inquiry. Anyone who violates any part of this policy will not be welcome at Occupy Baltimore.
They’re setting up their own court system here, where the ultimate punishment, no matter the severity of the offense, is banishment from a tent city. This is sexual assault we’re talking about here, not taking someone’s cupcake out of their lunch in the fridge.
The last part is “Investigation and Follow-Up”:
Occupy Baltimore’s Security Committee will make every reasonable effort to keep the matters involved in the allegation as confidential as possible while still allowing for a prompt and thorough inquiry. All allegations of abuse will be treated seriously and thoroughly investigated.
If the survivor wishes to involve law enforcement, in order to obtain physical evidence of the assault, you must report the incident within 72 hours or the assault as collection and preservation of evidence is critical. Occupy Baltimore will also work to supply the abuser with counseling resources to deal with their issues.
The Occupy Baltimore Community has a Zero-Tolerance policy for any sexual, physical, or mental abuse of or by a community member.
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94 Comments
And, just how could this turn out badly?
Weird. Also begs the question, have there been a lot of sexual assaults at Occupy rallies? So many that it takes a full pamphlet to address "survivor" concerns? This whole thing is bizarre. I feel like the whole country just landed in the Twilight Zone.
"…banishment from tent city." Reminds me of the movie The Island starring DiCaprio. Violating the make-shift law results in banishment from the island utopia.
Anarchy!
When you are brought up with no values, this is what you get.
You lay with the dogs, you're going to get the fleas.
W. T. F. ?
I'm a thinkin' that some Public Defender, or some recently graduated law school student wrote that (ahem!) statement. That is just about, beyond a doubt, the most ridiculous thing I have ever read. It is not worth the cyber-paper it is printed on.
Wow. This tells you something, doesn't it? It means these scumbags are raping each other. And they're covering it up to try to avoid the bad publicity.
What you have in that document is the setting up of an alternative system of governing. They dictate morals, they define criminal tresspass against those codes and the punishment or lack of regarding them. This is all a brain washing to adapt their behavoir to follow a different governing system than our current government. This is all about trying to hijack our nation & its government. They should all be arrested.
Or in this case, raped.
"Occupy Baltimore’s Security Committee will make every reasonable effort to keep the matters involved in the allegation as confidential as possible "… Keeping a crime "confidential" is a crime unto itself!
Don't forget the poor perpetrator…. they'v ebeen devastated too…
"for the survivor as well as the abuser." That says it all.
If you think this attitude is unique, I refer you to Reed College, here in Portland, Oregon. Rather than report the assault, a student is expected to come before a student committee with her assailant, each telling their side of the story. Oh, how I wish I was kidding:
http://www.iwatchnews.org/2011/04/08/3973/portlan...
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2011...
As expected, the Portland Police Dept is not happy about this, and reminds Reed that sexual assault is, in fact, a felony.
Banishment in this case means go to the other side of the street…
Anyone wonder why I left Maryland,,,?
I think they are vastly overestimating the punitive power of "shunning".
It seems that the spotlight is starting to shine on the MSM regarding this whole mess. And thank god, because the more scrutiny the msm gets the better. They are one of the main factors ruining this country right now.
Of course they're concerned about involving law enforcement – this is a group dedicated to sticking it up your ***censored*** against your will…
Well, if everything belongs to everyone, does that not include their bodies? Isn't modesty and the ability to say "No" conservative values that should be shunned? Isn't it the moto of "Do it if it feels good"? So if it feels good to one, to bad on the other? Or if it is a gang rape, the needs of a few are put down for the needs of the many?
This is sounding more and more like Lord of the Flies
These granola-crunching jobless hippies are always dictating how other people should live. They want the "rich" to share the wealth. They want victims to be forgiving and not "tell" on the perps, all in the name of community.
I'm glad winter is coming, which should shut down these shantytowns.
This couldn't be because they are the sexual perverts themselves? Just askin'
Most of these people really define "The Twee Potty."
WTH is going on? Did they have a pamphlet on murder too? This makes me heartsick.
Isn't this in the same vein as the "black" community shunning police protection in some major cities? Each
group seems to want their own segregated police force… GET THE HELL OUT OF MY COUNTRY, you freaks!
May I suggest you go to Venezuela to wallow in your perverse ideals.
FIGHT on PATRIOTS!!!
.
You are right.
If it weren't for the poor perpetrator having bad luck, none of this would occur.
I'm about ready to give up.
Everything I try fails.
My grant that I applied to with Buffy Wicks and Yosi Sergeant for my Muhammed in Cowpies was turned down as not artsy enough. I'm not black enough to qualify for Pigford. I'm too wealthy to qualify for free food coupons, cheese, butter and milk. I don't know where to turn.
About the only thing left, is to apply for a grant, and open a home for Drunken, unwed cowboys.
It might be a way to keep them off the street, before they move on up to perpetrator status…….
I will also refer you to incidents of sexual assaults of foreign "peace activists" by local Palestinian "activists" in the West Bank, in which the foreign women were pressured by their fellow travelers not to report the crimes. The two stories below are from right-wing and Leftist media. More can be found in the blogosphere.
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/...
http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/mess-report/mess-rep...
And finally, reports of Peace Corps volunteers raped in-country, and discouraged by Peace Corps officials from reporting. This from the New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/11/us/11corps.html...
All of these stories are part of a pattern: don't dirty our pretty little picture with your sad little story. Because anyway, you probably deserved it.
This appears to be the modern day equivalent of the guy on stage at Woodstock warning everyone "don't take the brown acid man".
Funny how you never have to issue flyers asking people not to rape one another at a Tea Party rally.
Well we know theft seems to be an issue now. They have stolen contribution, as well as several laptops. One guy in this group of anti capitalist said he had a $5500 laptop stolen. Funny that is about 4 to 5 times the cost of a nice laptop. Can you say insurance fraud.
Like every good little union, this group is trying to be a government, a governing body, all its own with its own unspecific and unending authorities.
I'm sorry. Is this a joke or something? These people are insane. Like zombies.
This whole thing will either go the way of riots and destruction of personal property or Lord of the Flies.
I'm betting Lord of the Flies.
Did the TEA Party have a security committee? These people may need it but from the sounds of it this group is on the wrong side of security, just like all their other arguments. Why are these fools allowed to continue? They need permits, and I'm sorry those should have run out weeks ago. Let them occupy a tent city jail cell someplace, and then make it clear when they are released that their rights to continue this protest in a public space has been used up. If they want to protest more the permit should be at least $1000 per person. Taxpayers should not have to foot a penny for these idiots, nor should their lives be invaded by any protest. This is not civil it's criminal since these people have far overstayed their time. Sadly the union cops seem to be supports, so you can count on this not happening.
More proof that leftists hate women, since they don't want the perps who rape them to be dealt with by the police.
Initially, 1st time offenders will be subjected to a "frown"; if the "frowning" is subsequently deemed ineffective by a repeat occurence, the "alleged" perpetrator will be issued a verbal "Tsk", a third infraction a "Tsk-tsk"… Lastly, a 4th offense may or may not result in a sentence of "Capital Shunning". And may whomever you worship as a supreme diety issue bad karma to you.
Actually, all incredulity aside, I was in Baltimore 2 weeks ago… I heard many, many sirens all night, and I was staying at the waterfront, a supposedly "safe" bastion.
This is a city that does not regulate taxis; if a driver finds out you are a "short fare" instead of an airport fare, they will literally order you out of their taxi. A colleague told me of being grabbed by two drivers and pulled like a wishbone to their cabs.
I really do believe sexual assaults in Baltimore are considered an Olympic event.
Sexual abuse and assault are dehumanizing acts for the survivor as well as the abuser.
Local news this morning reported the arrest of a school teacher in his 40s who had been having a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl.
My heart really goes out to the teachers union members in these circumstances. I mean, he's probably not even going to be able to attend the "Occupy LAUSD" protest today, because the system will probably have him caged up like an animal.
I'm thinking the same thing, that maybe there's some dude dying of gangrene in a tent at these rallies, and they won't get him help or antibiotics cause it might harm the "community."
They would be right if it was me who was raped. There would only be one survivor: me.
It is creepy how they use the term "survivors," kind of implies that there are victims that didn't exactly "survive" that we don't know about.
It wouldn't do to have bad publicity with people arrested, keep it quiet. They must think they may attract rapists. The Tea Party never had issues like this.
Breaking news!!!
They just arrested a man at the Occupy Seattle protest who had been exposing himself to young girls.
Does anyone know where Anthony Weiner is?
You weren't at the protests were you?
………… now I am wondering.
Sorry just kidding.
So everyone who endorses OWS approves of this mentality of hiding or ignoring rape?
Yeah that will get Obama reelected
Good going Barry, you are more slimy than Bill Clinton.
I am thinking it was an complete imbecile with absolutely no training in law who wrote it.
I really don't see a need to black out Koala!'s phone number. After all if you're printing your phone number on a sheet to be handed out to total strangers at a public event in an urban area, you don't really have any enforceable expectation of privacy for the information.
The funny thing about people who are collectivist ant anti-private property is that they sure scream loud when you start taking their stuff.
This is ridiculous. Hunter ignores practically every sexual assault policy written for colleges, businesses, etc.
Crisis intervention, referrals, and resources are included in most policies, like this one. 3rd party support, OPTIONAL reporting to law enforcement, etc. are standard ways used in these policies to deal with serious crimes and allegations of crimes.
Just because they put "Though we do not encourage the involvement of the police in our community" it is ridiculous to claim that the policy implies, "So if you’ve been raped or sexually assaulted, don’t call the police".
Pathetic.
What? You mean I can't stay in your primitive tent city with you dirty hippies? Oh noes!
And what if you refuse to leave? Um, then what? Are they going to run to get those nasty police to help them, then?
What could go wrong?
Actually, that's pretty strong language for the "No Responsibility" Party.
Plausible. Deniability.
I know, it's a stretch. But one of their ACLU lawyer pals probably told them to write up something like this.
Three thoughts: Wouldn't it be easier to just repeat the golden rule: "do unto others . . ."??? Or would that be too "religious"?
The more the majority learn about the 99%ers, the more we realize that they are a small minority that is way outside the mainstream–more like the 2%ers.
And finally, if these are the President's people, then from this day forward he has forfeited any right to feign offense to being called a Socialist.
1 random example…
http://www.buffalostate.edu/offices/police/safety...
Offenders will be subject to appropriate campus adjudication processes, disciplinary action, and/or criminal proceedings.
Prevention
Reporting
Responses
Options
Referrals
Assistance
Resources
Throw it all out, says Hunter because it says it MAY involve law enforcement.
I wonder if this Koala! is the same Koala! that was in charge of public safety at my university.
That would be an amazing Coincidence! wouldn't it?
And the Republicans want to kill women and children !!
LIBTARDS AND ELITIST SOFT ON TERRORISTS AND TOUGH ON THE UNBORN .
I regret that I have but one thumbs up to give you!
Just saw an article on Drudge where a 19 year old female claimed she was raped. The organizers asked her to sleep with an unknown male ("Leland") in her tent in order to provide shelter for everyone at the event. She didn't call the cops. She reported it to her college counselor, or something like that. The counselor called the cops.
Now, I'll relate my views on this. I feel sorry that this young female:
- was raped.
- will have to wonder for years if she's been infected with a potentially fatal STD.
- was so ignorant as to let someone talk her into letting a strange man into her tent.
- failed to make an intelligent inquiry about the character of the people she associated with.
- thinks she's doing the world any good associating with amoral degenerates.
- doesn't have parents who care enough about her to raise her to have sense.
Aside from that, I have to say that she might want to re-think the whole redistributionist thing. Her tent mate obviously felt entitled to redistribute her genitals to public benefit.
Best rally I ever went to was Beck's "Restoring Honor" rally.
Nearly (or possibly more than) one million people singing Amazing Grace. No one denigrated. Parks left astoundingly clean. People happy to be together and stand for something good.
In spite of all their lip service to compassion, sensitivity and community, the fact is leftists, liberals, progressives and Democrats are some cold blooded people.
Maybe it was Koala!, Cowboy? I mean, anyone with an exclamation mark in their name has to be awfully good at what they do!!!!
My guess, this policy isn't in the recruiting brochure for this college, at least for the parents of daughters. If I had a daughter, I sure wouldn't want her in this school. How appalling! No matter what school you are at, the first phone call should be to the police, no, not the campus police or security, the real police. The college really has NO role in a crime, after it has already happened. Most colleges make things even worse after something like this happens.
Perhaps that's why this Victim "went to a teacher at the school" rather than directly to the Police!
Occupy Cleveland protestor told police she was raped in tent
Read more: http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/cleve...
I'm sorry, Helen, all colleges and businesses etc. do not encourage the involvement of the police? Really? Are they asking for huge lawsuits then?
You mean your Koala! had an exclamation point in her/his name too, Kent?
I find it difficult to believe there are two of them! In fact, it's kinda' mind boggling!
Nope, but then, the Tea Party isn't orchestrated by a bunch of pervert Commies. It's a REAL grassroots movement with real issues and solutions… Repeal Obamacare, stop the spending and LESS Government… and a moral code of the Founders.
Sorry, Nick. It was a joke. I should have used a /sarc tag. I was just mocking the trollish notion that a scrap of paper encouraging a rape victim to call a "committee" with people named "Koala!" on it, is in any way equivalent to an office of a university.
Perpetrators Are People Too!
wait…………..wha?
This thing just went from joke to tragedy. This is disgusting in the acts themselves and the ridiculousness of the handling.
Really, and someone is expecting better out of Portland? Liberal city extraordinaire. The people laying, squatting, panhandling all over the streets on any given day are now a part of OWS. Bet you hard cash most of them studied at colleges in the Portland area and subscribe completely to the Reed philosophy.
1) Assaults are not welcome here. They're bad, mmkay? This needs to be said because you people have never learned to control your impulses and have never faced any real, legitimate consequences for your actions. But your self-esteem is intact.
2) You are not allowed to retaliate against someone who accuses you of assault. That would be bad, mmkay?
3) False accusations of assaults are not welcome here. We will ask you to leave. And that will make you unhappy, mmkay?
As a person who's had to deal with EEO situations, I can tell you that this is completely meaningless. These kinds of policies are entirely window dressing created to give the impression of "zero tolerance," but which collapse immediately the moment the agency in charge has to face a situation that doesn't fit their game plan.
Talk about getting screwed.
LOL,I know, Kent! I was being sarcastic right back!
I mean, seriously, who has an exclamation point in their name?
Like the rest of the idiots in this movement, the perpetrators were unfortunately, just doing what they thought they should. They saw something they wanted and took it. Since most of them seem to be espousing some utopian anarchist way of life, why would this be any sort of surprise to them? Reap what you sow, sadly. The Democrats are really going to end up rueing the day they voiced support for these slugs!
If you've been abused, call "Big Teddy Bear". He/she will come give you big hugs to make you feel better. And please remember that the abuser has been "dehumanized", too. LOL
Do you think it has to anything to do with this?
http://cleveland.cbslocal.com/2011/10/18/occupy-c...
i was at Dan's Bake Sale* in Ft. Collins, CO about 20 yrs ago. it was incredible. and no, nobody had to be told not to sexually assault anyone there, either.
*old Rush Limbaugh fans know what i'm talking about.
I don't know if there have been a lot, but Instapundit links to a reported rape in Cleveland
What really galls me about this is the arrogance of these organizers imagining that they are in any way, shape or form qualified to investigate (or even make inquiries into) any kind of criminal activity, let alone anything as serious as rape or sexual assault.
Can anyone tell us where from the "security committee" derives its authority?
Does anyone see the irony of opponents of big government objecting to the efforts of a self governing group to actually carry out your principles and avoid the intrusion of government?
Like y'all, they obviously do not trust government and are living the creation of an alternative form of social connection that is based on free association of free people.
You are looking at the logical outcome of your supposed principles and for some reason you are uncomfortable with it.
It used to be fashionable in some "intellectual" quarters to see political theory not as a continium from left to right, communism to fascism, but as a circle in which totalitiarian communism met and equated with totalitarian fascism.
Maybe there is such a continium in which extreme rightwing anti-government paranoia meets up with extreme leftwing anti-government paranoia with anarchy as the logical outcome of both.
Perhaps the difference is they are trying to replace big government with an alternative form of self control, which is what is objected to here; whereas y'all are just trying to tear it down.
Are there any other kind than old?
Listen to the ads to gage the audience.
But isn't that what you all want? Or is the opposition to government stuff just hot air? As if it wasn't obvious.
You still want your big government safety net.
BLAME YOURSELVES you stupid idiots for continuing to vote Democratic politicians into office again and again and again. Who in turn appoint liberal, snot-rag judges.
You've got it wrong.
No one in the LIMITED government movement is opposed to national defense, justice, law enforcement. These are LEGITIMATE government functions. Like most things in life it is not some polar goal but a recognition that government FORCE has some rightful utility in the life of a nation.
We just think that it should not apply to our toilets, shower-heads, light-bulbs, investments, our right to protect our lives etc. We also don't think it should be used to transfer the wealth of those who created it to the friends of political regimes.
Does that clear it up for you?
Unbelievable!
You're safe around the Inner Harbor and probably 4 or 5 blocks north. I've worked in Baltimore City for 17 years and have never had a problem. That being said, wonder away from these areas and you could find yourself in a heap of trouble.
I'm sure some of those sirens are due to "issues" at the Power Plant Live area (bars). Lots of drunken idiots there any given night.
As I understand it, that's what Marx thought. There wasn't supposed to be any marriage in a good Marxist community, and women should be concerned for the needs of the community, having all things in common – including themselves.
Who cares? Lets build a wall around them and let them live there forever! No cops allowed and once you enter you cannot leave.
FYI, after doing my own blog post on the topic I found what looks to be the same memo on the Occupy Baltimore website. You might want to take your own copy in case they pull it: http://www.occupybmore.org/comment/92
I agree, who are they to investigate some thing so serious, surly any criminal acts , must be reported to the police?
If they ever want a change of job, maybe they should take out a Electrical Courses
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