Have you ever wondered what would happen if you were stalked at your place of employment? Former Howard Professor Dawn V. Martin did not have to wonder as it happened to her.Professor Dawn V. Martin an attorney who ironically is known for her valiant representation of clients in matters of employment discrimination, civil rights and personal injury was harassed by a serial campus stalker. Her contract was “not renewed” after she asked the university to implement/its own established security procedures to bar the stalker from campus. I know this sounds bad - but keep reading as it gets worse!
Yesterday, Ms. Martin filed a Petition for Rehearing, En Banc, asking the full Court to review the three-judge Panel’s decision.
Ms. Martin said: “The Court rarely grants petitions for review, but it is the only step before the United States Supreme Court. I would appreciate it if women’s groups, civil rights groups and crime victim’s associations would make their members aware of this case. If I don’t prevail at this level, I will be looking for groups that are willing to come together to file a joint Amicus Brief at the Supreme Court level.” Groups interested in providing support should contact Ms. Martin at dvmartinlaw@yahoo.com or http://www.dvmartinlaw.com/
It is hard to understand why the campus would not want to implement any and all security measures available based upon the simple fact that this situation could have had a much direr outcome.
This event in itself should have been considered a “wake up call” or at least an eye opener for Howard University -as a golden opportunity arrived for Howard to make the campus a safer place for the educators as well as the students. Seems to me someone here is trying to sweep the matter under the rug.
Nationally, campus security has been in question for a couple of years now as our nation has experienced wide spread campus violence. For Howard University to take this stance in the Martin case is startling to say the very least.
This will continue to be a very important case as what is happening here is more than a simple employment contract dispute- this case involves workplace safety and more importantly workplace standards that will impact all of us in this country and abroad.
For those of us who are victims of crime in particular of domestic abuse and stalking we need to speak out and to have our voices heard as safe working conditions should not be taken lightly.
No one should not have to choose between their personal safety and their job- period.
To help Dawn Martin pursue justice and safe working conditions please contact her directly by e-mail at DVMartinlaw@yahoo.com. Donations are greatly appreciated to help continue this legal fight that will have a significant impact upon all of us.
If you have been victimized at work you are not alone. Please share your stories here in my blog as well as with Ms. Martin directly as employees should not have to work in fear.
2 comments:
There is no excuse for a University to neglect its security procedures, especially in this day and age, with violent incidents perpetrated by disturbed individuals punctuating the news! Howard just lucked out in that far more serious consequences did not occur in this case - no thanks to their negligence!
Of course, they did eventually avoid further disruption by the stalker - by removing his victim through dismissal from her job!
No sane person can see this as either a just or desirable outcome or "solution" to the problem.
It is sad that a University like Howard, with a fine reputation over the years, should commit such a shameful action, violating both the right to a safe workplace of Professor Martin, and her civil rights under the law.
I wonder how knowledge of this disgusting lack of concern for campus safety will be regarded by other female professors - or students - considering a Howard teaching position or education? Personally, I would think more than twice before exposing myself to such a lack of concern - or adherence to its own security procedures.
By the way, I'm not sure it has been reported - is this deranged individual still loose and casting about for a new and unwilling "wife"?
Every woman in America should be demanding that this case be heard - and that Dawn Martin achieves the justice she deserves. It is not only about Dawn, however - we are all equally vulnerable to sick individuals that stalk defenseless women.
I have not been stalked - but I've on a number of occasions been terrified by a threatening or mentally unbalanced male with whom I found myself alone. How much worse to be in that situation every minute of every day!
There is no excuse for not protecting women from this kind of harassment, certainly none for allowing it to threaten not just their freedom of movement, privacy, personal safety, but their jobs as well!
Yes, if the Supreme Court does not do the right thing, we should hound Congress until they do.
Blessings,
Liberty G
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