Advanced Title IX Investigator Training and Certification 

This event has ended.

Advanced Title IX Investigator Training and Certification 

This event has ended.


Confidently and effectively investigate complex sexual harassment cases.

Overview

As Title IX 2020 Final Regulations and accompanying OCR Guidance continue to unfold, so do the complexities involved in sexual harassment cases that universities must address. Upon the filing of a formal complaint alleging sexual harassment, the Title IX 2020 Amendments require institutions to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation within their grievance process. These investigations are highly sensitive and often complex; even experienced and skilled investigators must continually refine and enrich their investigative skills. This training will provide learning space and allow experienced investigators to further develop their investigative skills and obtain invaluable insights from our expert faculty and their peers.

Join us this July for a virtual advanced-level investigator certification training specifically designed for seasoned investigators with three or more years of experience. This is a hands-on workshop that gives provides experienced investigators with the information they need to expand and sharpen their knowledge, increasing their competency for investigating difficult and complex cases, including hostile environment sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, and stalking.

Our expert speaker panel will take participants on a deep dive into the following topics:

  • The investigation requirements under the 2020 Amendments
  • Advanced questioning and evidence-gathering techniques
  • Addressing inconsistent or nonsensical statements
  • Handling a difficult witness
  • Preparing the credibility analysis for decision-makers
  • Drafting a fair, neutral, and comprehensive investigative report
  • Examining autonomy, neutrality, and objectivity

Upon finishing the training, you will receive a certificate of completion documenting your participation in this Advanced Title IX Investigator workshop. You will come away with greater knowledge and proficiency for investigating complex sexual harassment formal complaints on your campus.

Who should attend?

This conference will benefit seasoned investigators new to Title IX, as well as Title IX and Civil Rights investigators with at least three years of professional experience investigating sexual harassment, gender-based discrimination cases, and discrimination cases involving protected categories.

Agenda

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | All Times Eastern

 

Welcome and Introductions

11:00 – 11:30 a.m. ET

 


 

Title IX Investigations under the Current Regulations

11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. ET
In this opening session, you will receive a brief review of the investigator’s role as fact-gatherer and review the investigative process under the 2020 Amendments. We will explore the parties’ rights under the law and the investigator’s responsibilities throughout the investigative process. You will have the opportunity to share and discuss gaps you have identified, experienced, or that you foresee in future investigations, as well as any ongoing concerns you have about conducting investigations.


 

Introduction of the Five Stages of Investigation and Scenario

12:15 – 12:45 p.m. ET
Our expert faculty will introduce you to the five stages of the investigative process. Within each stage, you will learn effective strategies and advanced skills to incorporate into your existing process. As a group, you will be introduced to a mock scenario allowing you to practice the advanced investigative skills learned throughout the training.

 


 

Short Break

12:45 – 1:00 p.m. ET

 


 

Stage 1: Prepare

1:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET
Our faculty will provide useful strategies to fully prepare you for your complex investigation, including:

  • Recognizing the elements of the offenses
  • Identifying the evidence that may be available
  • Witnesses and outreach strategy
  • Creating an investigation log
  • Planning for the interviews
  • Interacting with party advisors

Based on what you learn here, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss and refine your current preparation strategy.

 


 

Long Break

2:30 – 3:00 p.m. ET

 


 

Stage 2: Gather

3:00 – 4:00 p.m. ET
Gathering and preserving evidence is critical to the investigative process. During this session, two types of evidence will be analyzed—testimonial and non-testimonial. We will then review how each type of evidence plays a role in assisting the decision-maker in determining responsibility.

  • Testimonial Evidence: Building Rapport and Asking the Right Questions
    • Conducting interviews is a crucial and essential skill used by investigators to find out, to the best of their ability, what may have occurred during the alleged incident or incidents. Here, you will learn the most advanced and effective interviewing techniques to build rapport with witnesses and solicit the most information, enabling you to follow the trail of information for a just and fair outcome.
  • Non-Testimonial Evidence: Collecting Physical Evidence
    • Non-testimonial evidence can serve to corroborate—or contradict—the information gathered through testimonies and can be instrumental to building a case timeline while serving to bolster or diminish credibility. During this section, we will explore avenues for collecting this physical evidence and work to identify that which might be missing.

 


 

Autonomy, Neutrality, and Objectivity

4:00 – 4:45 p.m. ET
Impartiality within the investigative process is the substantive foundation of the entire grievance process. You will learn how to recognize and mitigate, as much as possible, personal bias during the investigation, and how to address it if your personal bias if it is questioned. You will have the opportunity to reflect and share instances where you have experienced or witnessed bias as part of a Title IX investigation—and how you reacted to or addressed the bias.

 


 

Wrap-up & Day One Q&A

4:45 – 5:00 p.m. ET

 


Thursday, July 27, 2023

11:00 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. | All Times Eastern

 

Refresh & Reset

11:00 – 11:15 a.m. ET

 


 

Confronting Interviewing Challenges

11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. ET
Learn the methods for communicating with a reluctant or difficult witness, including how to confront inconsistent, incomplete, contradictory, or nonsensical statements, as well as how to handle suspected dishonesty.

 


 

Short Break

12:15 – 12:30 p.m. ET

 


 

Small Group Activity: Mock Interviews

12:30 – 1:30 p.m. ET
Through mock interviews (using the fact scenario provided), you will apply the new strategies and techniques you have learned.

 


 

Stages 3 and 4: Compile and Assess for Relevance

1:30 – 2:30 p.m. ET
Our faculty will walk you through the compilation and delivery of the investigative file. Following this session, you will learn how to assess and assemble the evidence for inclusion in the investigative report. In this session, you will also develop a critical understanding of relevance and its purpose within the overall grievance process.

 


 

Long Break

2:30 – 3:00 p.m. ET

 


 

Stage 5: Drafting the Investigative Report

3:00 – 3:30 p.m. ET
This stage provides the valuable opportunity to review an outline of a final investigative report and learn the various best practices for organizing its content.

 


 

Testifying at the Hearing

3:30 – 4:15 p.m. ET
As an investigator, you will likely serve as a witness who will testify at the hearing. Our expert faculty will ensure that you are prepared for your role within the hearing.

 


 

Final Q&A and Conference Wrap-Up

4:15 – 4:45 p.m. ET

Can’t attend the conference? Buy the binder.