Who is Andrew Temkin?

[Denali6298]

@luckycricket123

My experience is largely with corporate training modules, but I don’t think the modules are intended to stop sexual predators. They are there to educate people so hopefully you get less cases of victims not reporting, bystanders doing nothing, and sexual predators in a gray area who don’t realize what they are doing is wrong.

People who are serial creeps are probably not going to be stopped by a training video, but I wouldn’t say the videos are for them anyway.

This is exactly what the videos are for. No they are not going to stop predators. What they do is make people aware of what constitutes sexual harassment and assault. The Navy says any unwanted touching is grounds for sexual assault. It is a VERY narrow view that puts sailors on notice. Ie, you cannot touch someone’s arm if they don’t want you too.

What the training also does is teach people about reporting options, gives victims information on counseling options, and how by-standers can recognize situations before they escalate to assault or rape. The training is also backed up by swift punishment. If anyone tries to sweep it under the rug, they will be relieved of their duties.

[Bethe_Mounce]

@merrygoround

“Least said, soonest mended”

Entirely too many COTH members are more than willing to speak where angels fear whisper. Given the slightest allegation they are ready to extrapolate high crimes and misdemeanors, trumpeting their opinions.

They then stroll off without so much as an apology when proven mistaken. Where are their trumpets then?

I am still here. I made no allegations about “why” he is on the “list.” I have no clue. Just that he is on the list and I have never heard of him. All I know is he is the Senior Lead Counsel, or some such title, for Oracle. If allegations are proven wrong, I would imagine USEF will remove his name.

[hoopoe]

I cannot imagine requiring or expecting kids under, say 13, to make it through this training, I assume that is why the federation is stopping at “all members” I think 13 and up is a prime age for getting this training started. I wish I had a notion in 1975 that in my first job out of high school I was being sexually discriminated and harassed. I was officially reprimanded for complaining about a senior broker.

[hoopoe]

While sexual abuse grabs the headlines and the mission of the U.S. Center for SafeSport (established last year with funding from the U.S. Olympic Committee and the NGBs) involves cases of sexual misconduct, Murray noted the concept also covers bullying, cyber bullying, emotional misconduct and more. The latter categories are handled by USEF through its hearing process.

Cyber bullying is where safe sport really needs to step up .

The Federation needs to remind its officials to not discuss their experiences and judging on Facebook. when it is easy to find out who specifically an official is talking about, they stepped over the line.

[Saskatoonian]

I’m sure the logistics of requiring the training for all members immediately are challenging, so makes sense to me to implement the requirements over time to different segments of the population.

As for requiring kids to take it, I agree that the training appropriate for (and palatable to!) kids is not necessarily the same as for adults, but kids should absolutely receive some education on this stuff. A common thread in the accounts of people abused as kids is the feeling of isolation, which has got to help the abusers. And there can’t be anything wrong with telling them where they can turn for help.

[fordtraktor]

Yes, I think that the videos are fine for members. But the expected rule just covers the trainers, which is not the segment it might actually help.

[Scribbler]

@Denali6298

This is exactly what the videos are for. No they are not going to stop predators. What they do is make people aware of what constitutes sexual harassment and assault. The Navy says any unwanted touching is grounds for sexual assault. It is a VERY narrow view that puts sailors on notice. Ie, you cannot touch someone’s arm if they don’t want you too.

What the training also does is teach people about reporting options, gives victims information on counseling options, and how by-standers can recognize situations before they escalate to assault or rape. The training is also backed up by swift punishment. If anyone tries to sweep it under the rug, they will be relieved of their duties.

Consistent training does put everyone on the same page. It gives everyone a language and sets norms for the institution.

It doesn’t stop predators but it puts everyone around them on notice to stop the behavior. It lets young people put a name to creepy grooming behavior which they know is wrong but can’t figure out how to explain to parents. It also puts parents on notice to be aware of things for their own kids and others. And provides a reporting structure.

Sexual harassment in the workplace still exists but it is nowhere near as common 40 years ago. In some fields it has pretty much been eliminated, in others it is more underground or rarer. Some fields, particularly traditionally male jobs, are recalcitrant especially if they don’t want women working there at all. But I would say that most fields that have 50% women employees have really cleaned up their acts.

[Saskatoonian]

@Scribbler

Consistent training does put everyone on the same page. It gives everyone a language and sets norms for the institution.

It doesn’t stop predators but it puts everyone around them on notice to stop the behavior. .

This, x100. And in that sense, trainers are among those the policy is designed to “help.” It makes very clear, for example, that “regardless of any purported Consent, a sexual misconduct offense involving a Minor includes Sexual Conduct (or attempt to commit the same) between a Covered Adult and a Minor where the age difference is three or more years,” and where the age difference is less than three years where a “Power Imbalance exists.” It makes very clear that retaliation for filing complaints is prohibited.

It eliminates a lot of ridiculous excuses, like, you know, that the 11 year old consented to sleep with the trainer (random example - no idea about the person who’s the subject of this thread).

It’s a good start and worth reading.

[ThreeFigs]

Yes to what Scribbler says. I completed the SafeSport program and the background check, because I’m pursuing PARA coaching certification for riders. It was not a problem. The videos cover situations that might occur in any sport, discuss bullying, both cyber and In Real Life, “grooming” behaviors from coaches or others in positions of trust, and other inappropriate behaviors. Also discusses how to help/what to do if inappropriate behavior is suspected.

I especially appreciated examples of bullying/exclusion of teammates and warning signs of “grooming” behavior. I’ve known some creepy sorts in the horse sports – this program might help others to recognize them, their behaviors and stop them in their tracks.

[Benchmark]

@Denali6298

As furlong47 said, the training programs already exist. They don’t even need to make a horse version. They should roll it out in blanket format. Make the certificate part of the paperwork to be sent in with the entries.

If 50% of the people get turned away from a show because they can’t take 90 minutes out of their day to watch a video then oh well. They could also accept training people get at their work. That could alleviate the problems of people not reading emails or thinking they are too busy.

I do not understand how people can be so outraged over sexual assault and rape in the work place and in the horse world, yet say required training is too hard. People won’t be able to show because they don’t read emails, or whatever excuse about the logistics.

I hear you. In theory, this sounds straightforward; however, the software programs and technological infrastructure has to be there for this to be as simple as it sounds. Based on everything I’ve seen and personal attempts at searching for usable data, I highly doubt the USEF’s technology is where it should be.

I would LOVE for the various federations to get their technology up to speed, just keep in mind that upgrading software is expensive (very expensive) and brings a very big learning curve.

[Denali6298]

@Benchmark

I hear you. In theory, this sounds straightforward; however, the software programs and technological infrastructure has to be there for this to be as simple as it sounds. Based on everything I’ve seen and personal attempts at searching for usable data, I highly doubt the USEF’s technology is where it should be.

I would LOVE for the various federations to get their technology up to speed, just keep in mind that upgrading software is expensive (very expensive) and brings a very big learning curve.

They already are there. There is online training. Everyone has computer access these days. The USEF can use existing courses. It’s really not hard.

[Benchmark]

@Denali6298

They already are there. There is online training. Everyone has computer access these days. The USEF can use existing courses. It’s really not hard.

They would have to pay for licenses for these products though. At least in the corporate world, you either pay a fairly substantial one time fee or you pay for individual licenses. It’s a basic subscription model.

[Denali6298]

@Benchmark

They would have to pay for licenses for these products though. At least in the corporate world, you either pay a fairly substantial one time fee or you pay for individual licenses. It’s a basic subscription model.

So? Cough up the cash put a link on the website. Again, it’s not that hard. There is zero excuse for this not to be implemented ASAP as a blanket policy.

[skydy]

The USEF has the training course online. It is free for members.

[fordtraktor]

I personally steer away from 90 minute training courses. In my professional experience, the best companies are using 1-4 minute training modules that are memorable so the lesson will stick with people. Anyone will tune out 90 minutes. Use early and often.

i recommend the sexual harassment training videos David Schwimmer has done. They are terrific and easily available on YouTube. He has a whole series of scenarios.

[Denali6298]

@skydy

The USEF has the training course online. It is free for members.

@Benchmark what is your excuse now? Amazing how everyone rightfully condemns this stuff but when they are required to make an effort to comply with a program aimed to mitigate it, “oh its so hard…”. Clearly I was right to be disgusted by what I quoted up thread.

[Benchmark]

@Denali6298

@Benchmark what is your excuse now? Amazing how everyone rightfully condemns this stuff but when they are required to make an effort to comply with a program aimed to mitigate it, “oh its so hard…”. Clearly I was right to be disgusted by what I quoted up thread.

I’m not trying to make excuses and I’m in no way apposed to sexual harassment training. I’m just trying to point out there’s a decent amount of time and money that needs to go into this before it’s rolled out across the entire organization. If the roll out is chaotic, it will damage the overall effort, an effort that I agree is important.

Maybe there’s someone that works in HR on these boards that could provide some insight? Please correct me if I’m wrong. Just going off of my experience in the corporate world which is outside of HR…

[Denali6298]

@Benchmark

I’m not trying to make excuses and I’m in no way apposed to sexual harassment training. I’m just trying to point out there’s a decent amount of time and money that needs to go into this before it’s rolled out across the entire organization. If the roll out is chaotic, it will damage the overall effort, an effort that I agree is important.

Maybe there’s someone that works in HR on these boards that could provide some insight? Please correct me if I’m wrong. Just going off of my experience in the corporate world which is outside of HR…

Well now they just need to require proof of completion with entries. There is no HR insight needed. Did people have this many issues when vaccine and coggins documents were required for horses to be allowed on the show grounds? That is a genuine question.

[WildLittleWren]

@luckycricket123

My experience is largely with corporate training modules, but I don’t think the modules are intended to stop sexual predators. They are there to educate people so hopefully you get less cases of victims not reporting, bystanders doing nothing, and sexual predators in a gray area who don’t realize what they are doing is wrong.

People who are serial creeps are probably not going to be stopped by a training video, but I wouldn’t say the videos are for them anyway.

They are there to educate people, encourage them to speak up and come forward if they see violations or situations concerning these issues.

[westieeventer]

Bumping another groper!