The Harassment and Grievance Process

The DSA follows a code of conduct that forbids harassment. Members shall not engage in harassment on the basis of sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, physical appearance, disability, race, color, religion, national origin, class, age, or profession. Harassment not based on categories listed here which keeps a member from doing the work of the chapter will be evaluated at the discretion of the Harassment and Grievance Officers.

National DSA’s harassment policy may be found here

If you are being subject to harassment, please complete the grievance form and email it to hgo@centralindsa.org

What are the goals of the Harassment and Grievance Process?

  • To reduce harm
  • Maintaining integrity for accused and survivors
  • To make it possible for everyone in the chapter to do the work of democratic socialism in Central Indiana

What happens when you submit a harassment complaint?

  • An HGO (Harassment and Grievance Officer) will reach out to the accused and to the complainant.
  • We will ask those engaged in the process to maintain confidentialitiy in order to maintain integrity of the process, not to gag anyone.
  • Confidentiality will not be imposed on the reporter.
  • The HGO will work to determine the credibility of accusations and will recommend remedial activity to the steering committee
  • The HGO will aim to interview witness for the accused and accuser in an effort to determine what happened.
  • The focus of the investigation will be on the facts and actions in dispute not on character
  • If the accused does not participate in the investigation, the HGO will assume the credibility of the accusations and process accordingly
  • If the accused chooses to resign their membership when made aware of the complaint, the investigation will still proceed in order to have a record and the person will be prevented from returning to the chapter for three years
  • When at all possible, we will seek a restorative process when the accused accepts responsibility for harm.

For more information, consult the complete guide to the Harassment and Grievance process.