Harassment and Grievance Policy
Democratic Socialists of America: Harassment Policy
Written by The Harassment Working Group, passed as Resolution 33 at the 2017 DSA Convention on Aug. 4, 2017
On Harassment Policy and Grievance Procedure
Passed as Resolution 2 at the 2017 MDC DSA Convention on Oct. 7, 2017
“Dear Comrade Letter” implementation guidance and resources
Written by The Harassment Working Group, last updated Nov. 22, 2017
DSA is committed to creating a space that is welcoming and inclusive to members of all genders, races, and classes. This policy provides guidelines to ensure that everyone is able to organize without fear of harassment, abuse, or harm.
To file a grievance, contact a Metro DC DSA harassment grievance officer (HGO). Our HGOs can be contacted via an email address that functions as a confidential reporting “hotline” and is only accessible by the HGOs: hgo@mdcdsa.org. Please include your contact information, the names of the parties involved, and a description of the incident(s) you would like to report.
The HGO(s) will conduct interviews and any other necessary investigation, determine if a report is credible, and make any recommendation of appropriate disciplinary action to the Steering Committee, in writing, within 30 days. (Per a Steering Committee vote on Aug. 20, 2018, if any Steering member either files or is the subject of a grievance, they will recuse themselves from any HGO communication to Steering regarding said grievance.)
In order to ensure an effective alternative option for anyone who does not have full faith and confidence that their report will be quickly and correctly resolved through the chapter’s HGO(s), National has also designated an HGO. To file a grievance with National, use this form.
Resolution 33 prohibits retaliation against any member for filing a grievance.