Do Universities Re-Victimize Survivors? | Malia Lee Womack | TEDxOhioStateUniversity

Do universities re-victimize survivors of gender based violence? University employees including teachers who learn a student experienced gender based violence must report the incidence with or without the victim’s consent. Malia Lee Womack earned a BA from UC Berkeley, an MA from Columbia University, and is pursuing a PhD and a second MA from Ohio State University. She is a survivor of gender based violence, a student, and a teacher speaking out against mandatory reporting. Universities are increasingly adopting business models to mitigate their risk, protect their institution, and are becoming less student centered. Mandatory reporting is a product of this transition and must be abolished because the requirement can re-victimize survivors of gender based violence. Malia Lee Womack earned a BA from UC Berkeley in Gender and Women’s Studies with a minor in Global Poverty and Practice, and an MA from Columbia University in Human Rights Studies with an emphasis in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. She is currently pursuing a joint MA/PhD degree at Ohio State University in Latin American Studies and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (respectively). Womack challenges the field of human rights’ normative universalizing discourses, and advocates for revisions that take into account globalized power inequalities and the complex needs of marginalized communities and individuals. Her work experience ranges from community outreach and education, working to eradicate poverty and to increase women’s rights, combatting sexual, relationship and domestic violence, working for the United Nations, and spearheading diverse initiatives locally and abroad to improve the lived experiences of disadvantaged communities. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx