May 3, 2021
The AJS Office on Sexual Misconduct (formerly the Committee on Sexual Misconduct) was established in 2019 to receive and process informal and formal complaints of sexual misconduct. At the time of its establishment, the OSM published a set of FAQs to educate the membership about this new resource. These FAQs are periodically updated and republished.
While the OSM website provides information and general resources for those who wish to understand more about sexual harassment and sexual misconduct, the OSM does not engage in general education or advocacy around issues of sexual misconduct. Its purpose is to assist members seeking informal or formal resolutions for complaints of sexual misconduct.
The purpose of the Office on Sexual Misconduct (formerly the Committee on Sexual Misconduct) is to receive complaints of sexual misconduct that occurs in connection with AJS programs and activities, and to handle these complaints in accordance with the AJS procedures for complaints of sexual misconduct. All members have received specialized training on sexual misconduct generally, and on the AJS procedures for handling complaints of sexual misconduct specifically.
The reporting members of the AJS Office on Sexual Misconduct are the Chair, the Secretary, and three Ombuds who answer inquiries, provide information about AJS’s sexual misconduct policy and procedures, receive reports of incidents, and handle informal complaints. While you may contact any AJS OSM reporting member to seek information about the AJS sexual misconduct policy and resolution procedures, Ombuds Team members are often the best first point of contact and can provide the most detailed information and specific assistance.
An Ombud will listen to you share as much as you want to about issues and experiences of sexual misconduct occurring in any of the programs or activities of the AJS. The Ombud is trained to be responsive and supportive and will provide information about resources and resolution options within the AJS, specifically the informal and formal complaint procedures. It is not necessary to provide details in order to have a conversation with an Ombud about the available resolution options. The Ombud will remain neutral and will not advocate any particular course of action. Should you choose an informal procedure or resolution process, the Ombud will work with you to implement that process.
There are three informal options that the Ombud can facilitate: archiving a complaint for possible future action at the complainant’s request; working out an accommodative measure responsive to the complainant’s needs as appropriately and reasonably as possible; and informal mediation conducted by the OSM chair and secretary in consultation with the reporting Ombuds Team member where relevant. AJS procedures also include a process for filing a formal complaint that is heard by a formal hearing panel.
Informal resolution procedures are typically handled by an Ombud and/or the OSM chair and secretary depending on the procedure and are focused on identifying an appropriate remedy. They do not entail formal hearings and they do not entail formal findings of a violation or the imposition of penalties.
A formal complaint entails notification of the respondent and a formal hearing before a hearing panel which can result in a formal finding of a violation and the imposition of penalties.
If you are considering reporting an incident, contact a reporting member of the Office on Sexual Misconduct. Contact information for reporting members is available on the AJS website and at the conference registration desk. Ombuds are often the best first point of contact and can provide the most detailed information and specific assistance.
You can speak with an Ombud in person at the annual conference or by telephone, Zoom, or other remote service at any mutually convenient time throughout the year. Contact information for the Ombuds is available on the AJS website or at the conference registration desk. It is not necessary to provide details in order to have a conversation with an Ombud and/or discuss the available resolution options.
Yes. You may contact a reporting member, including any Ombud, at the conference using the contact information available on the AJS website or at the registration desk. If you have difficulty contacting a reporting member, ask the AJS staff at the registration desk for assistance.
No. It is not necessary to file a complaint or provide more details than you are comfortable sharing in order to speak with a reporting member or have a conversation with an Ombud about the available resolution options.
No. The Ombud will help you understand and evaluate your options so that you can determine which resolution procedure is the best option for your particular situation. The Ombuds abide by the three core principles articulated by the International Ombudsman Association: neutrality, confidentiality, and self-determination for the complainant.
The answer depends on the procedure. In the informal case of archiving and accommodation, the respondent is not notified of the complaint. In the informal case of mediation, the respondent is notified of the complaint and a mediator facilitates a process aimed at a mutually agreed remedy.
In a formal case, the respondent is notified and both complainant and respondent have an opportunity to be heard by a formal hearing panel.
The AJS expects all participants in proceedings of the Office on Sexual Misconduct to maintain the confidentiality of the proceedings and any information obtained in and for the proceedings. Confidentiality establishes trust, encourages reluctant complainants, ensures that complainants are self-determining, protects complainants from retaliation and public backlash, and protects respondents who might be mistakenly accused of a violation.
No. However, resolution options may be limited for incidents that occurred long ago.
If you are the subject of an informal complaint in which mediation has been requested, you will be notified by the Secretary of the OSM. Your participation in informal mediation is voluntary. In this process, the Chair and Secretary act as neutrals to facilitate a mutually agreed resolution between the parties.
If you are the subject of a formal complaint, the Secretary of the OSM will notify you and clarify the formal complaint procedures as detailed in the AJS Sexual Misconduct procedures available on the AJS website. You will be asked to respond in writing to the allegations in the complaint and to appear before a hearing panel.
If you are the subject of an archived complaint or if a complainant requests an accommodation from the AJS, you will not be notified.
No. The Association for Jewish Studies does not fall within the reach of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Title IX protects people from sex discrimination in educational programs and activities at institutions that receive federal financial assistance. Complaints of sexual misconduct in connection with AJS programs and activities are handled in accordance with the Association’s board-approved policies and procedures.
The new section of the AJS website dedicated to the issue of sexual misconduct contains a number of valuable resources. Click on “Additional Resources” and “Get Involved.”
The Sexual Misconduct Task Force began its work in early 2018. The task force collected general data about sexual misconduct in AJS programs and activities through the 2018 Member Survey. The task force also reviewed the policies and procedures of other learned societies and academic institutions and consulted with mediators, ombudspersons, lawyers and other professionals to craft a set of procedures for handling complaints of sexual misconduct that occur in AJS programs and activities. The purpose of the Office on Sexual Misconduct (formerly the Committee on Sexual Misconduct) is to receive and handle complaints in accordance with these procedures.
