Special Committee on Sexual Assault and Harassment
in the San Francisco Political Community
Background
The San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee (SFDCCC), also known as the San Francisco Democratic Party, has adopted a first-of-its-kind accountability framework to for sexual harassment and assault in the political environment. The process is outlined in the ‘Code of Conduct and Policies for Sexual Assault and Harassment for the San Francisco Democratic Party’ (Code of Conduct and Policies) approved by the San Francisco Democratic Party on December 4, 2024.
Political spaces have long been rife with sexual assault and harassment due to inherent power dynamics, the temporary nature of political campaigns, reliance on volunteers, and the nature of power and influence as the predominant currency in the industry.
This new policy is an ambitious framework which includes a robust process for reporting, investigation, and repercussions in order to change the culture that has allowed harassment and assault to persist in the political industry.
The policies consist of mechanisms for confidentiality, guardrails for independence to prevent political meddling, a structure to give club leadership agency to lead in creating their own solutions, and includes restorative facilitation for education and healing.
In order to implement the policies, the SFDCCCC is seeking:
1) An Ombudsperson
2) Judicial Commissioners (6 positions).
These positions will serve ad hoc, on a volunteer or pro bono basis. Candidates do not need to be from San Francisco. In fact, candidates with minimal or no ties to the San Francisco Democratic Party are encouraged to apply.
Deadline to submit an application is January 8, 2025.
For more information on this policy, please go here.
Position descriptions are below.
Position: Ombudsperson
Position Description: Ombudsperson
Employment Type: Volunteer
Compensation: Unpaid
Position Overview
The Ombudsperson serves a critical role in upholding the integrity of the Code of Conduct and Policies. The Ombudsperson is the first point of contact by Complainants, and a source of guidance for Democratic Club leaders. The Ombudsperson ensures incidents are progressing in the procedures, and tracks statistical information of incident reports.
The Ombudsperson will interface with SFDCCC leadership, the Investigators, the Judicial Council, Democratic Club leadership, and Complainants and Respondents.
The Ombudsperson must be a neutral party, and act impartially without personal, professional, or political conflicts of interest.
This is a remote position that does not need to be based in San Francisco. Individuals not from San Francisco with limited or no connection to San Francisco politics are encouraged to apply. While the Code of Conduct and Policies for Sexual Assault and Harassment for the San Francisco Democratic Party is not a legal document, those with legal backgrounds, and experience with Title IX issues in sexual harassment and assault are encouraged to apply.
Key Responsibilities
Project Manage: Ensure incidents during the entire duration of the case are progressing as required according to the Process Guideline in the Code of Conduct and Policies. Maintain accurate and confidential records of intake evaluations and decisions. Provide regular updates to the DCCC with pseudonymized data.
Intake Evaluation: Review and assess the information provided in initial reports to determine, if true, incidents fall within scope of violation of the Code of Conduct and Policies for Sexual Assault and Harassment for the San Francisco Democratic Party
Advisory Role: Provide guidance to Complainants, Respondents, Democratic Club leaders, and facilitate improvements to process and procedures as needed.
Position: Judicial Commissioner
Position Description: Judicial Commissioner
Employment Type: Volunteer
Compensation: Unpaid
Position Overview
Judicial Commissioner
The Judicial Commissioner serves on the Judicial Commission, which is made up of 6 people who will serve for one-year terms. An Adjudication Panel and an Appellate Adjudication Panel are made of three Judicial Commissioners, and are assembled on an ad hoc basis per incident.
Judicial Commissioner duties include:
Making determinations of whether a violation of the Code of Conduct and Policies occurred by a preponderance of evidence gathered by the Investigator
Requesting additional information from the Investigator if needed
Submitting the ruling to the Chair of the Judicial Commission
Determining consequences by referencing the Guidelines on Consequences in the Appendix of the Code of Conduct and Policies
Maintaining neutrality and avoiding any conflicts of interest with individuals involved in the matter.
This is a remote position that does not need to be based in San Francisco. Individuals not from San Francisco with limited or no connection to San Francisco politics are encouraged to apply. While the Code of Conduct and Policies for Sexual Assault and Harassment for the San Francisco Democratic Party is not a legal document, those with legal backgrounds, and experience with Title IX issues in sexual harassment and assault are encouraged to apply.
Chair of the Judicial Commission
The Chair of the Judicial Commission is a member of the Judicial Commission and selected by the Judicial Commission. The duties of the Chair of the Judicial Commission includes:
Project managing the process of incidents during Stage V: Determination, Stage VI: Remedies & Consequences, and Stage VII: Conclusion of the Code of Conduct and Policies
Receiving Investigator reports
Creating Adjudication Panels and Appellate Adjudication Panels within 5 business days from receipt of completion of investigation, or receipt of appeal
Receiving determinations by Adjudication Panels and Appellate Adjudication Panel
Finalizing report at the conclusion of incidents and submitting reports to the SFDCCC and Democratic Club involved
The Chair of Judicial Commission will interface with the Ombudsperson, Investigators, Judicial Commissioners, Complainant, Respondent, restorative facilitator, and Democratic Club leadership.
The Chair of Judicial Commission will make a good faith effort to ensure Commissioners selected per incident do not have a personal, professional, or political relationship with any party involved in the incident.
Key Responsibilities for Judicial Commission
Make Determination: Determinations are based on information gathered by Investigators. Determinations can be: accusation has been substantiated, accusation has been partially substantiated, accusation cannot be substantiated.
Determine Consequences: Determine consequences by referencing the Guidelines on Consequences in the Appendix of the Code of Conduct and Policies.
Reports: Create reports at the conclusion of incidents to be submitted to the SFDCCC
About the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee
The San Francisco Democratic Party is the official organization for Democrats in the City and County of San Francisco. Also known as the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee (SF DCCC), we represent one of the most active communities of Democrats in California, with more than 320,000 members. https://www.sfdemocrats.org/
Application Submission Form
Please submit before Jan 8, 2025