Filing a Formal Concern is a way to alert the Harassment and Grievance Officers (HGOs) of Boston DSA that you believe there has been a violation of our local Code of Conduct and/or national DSA Grievance Policy. In any situation requiring especially urgent action (i.e., involving ongoing harassment, abuse, or violence), we urge you to contact us directly at HGO@bostondsa.org even before you file a formal concern.

If you would like to ask about an incident you’re not sure how to classify, or discuss how to report an incident or file a concern, please email the HGOs at HGO@bostondsa.org. We are happy to talk things over and there is no time limit to filing a Formal Concern. We can also share instructions for contacting us more securely via this email address.

After receiving a Formal Concern, the four Harassment and Grievance Officers (HGOs) will seek determine how best to address the incidents described. We aim to reply to you within 7 days or fewer, though there may be delays during transitional periods or around major holidays.

Based on your filing, the HGOs will make an initial decision about whether the incidents meet the standards of the Code of Conduct and/or National Harassment Policy. Before taking any further steps (such as contacting other parties), we will check in with you to clear up any questions and confirm you are okay with proceeding with the formal concern. We will also follow up with you at each stage of the process to let you know about timeline updates and what steps we propose to take next.

The formal grievance process follows the steps outlined in National DSA’s Unified Grievance Policy (UGP). After filing, the HGOs will deliver the charges to the accused member(s) within 7 days. They will then have 7 days to respond. Depending on that response, the HGOs may need to investigate – we aim to have such investigation take no more than 10 days. Within 30 days of the filing, the HGOs will submit a report to the Coordinating Committee with our findings, including whether we believe a violation more likely than not occured and any recommendations we have around remedy. This report will be shared with both the complaining and accused members. The CC will then have 30 days to deliberate and come to a final decision.

The Coordinating Committee makes all final adjudications regarding HGO grievances. The outcomes of the resolutions process depends on the nature of incident(s), their context and effects, and the willingness or capacity of all involved parties to participate in the resolution process. Based on all of these factors, the HGOs may recommend one or more of the following remedies in relation to the individual(s) responsible for the incident(s):

1. 1. Facilitated conversation or mediation with involved or affected individuals
   2. A formal discussion between the disciplined individual(s) and the CC/HGOs to develop a plan to change the offending behavior(s).
   3. Request that they undertake reparative actions, seek outside support or training, and/or commit to a restorative justice and/or accountability process
   4. Restrictions on participating in certain chapter projects, platforms, activities, events, or groups
   5. Suspension from the chapter (either for a set period of time or conditional on meeting certain requirements, up to a maximum of 3 years)
   6. Expulsion from DSA (referred to the National Grievance Panel, treated as suspension until upheld by National DSA)

1. 1. You can discuss the situation with the HGOs before filing any concern formally.
   2. You can ask a comrade, friend, or loved one to help you file the concern or to file it on your behalf based on the information you provide them.
   3. You can designate someone else to receive follow-up messages about the concern.
   4. You can decline to further discuss the concern with the HGOs after filing.
   5. You can decline to participate in any proposed remedies to the concern.
   6. You can contact us through a third party about filing anonymously.
   7. You can withdraw the concern after filing. However, if the incidents you filed about involve high risk of ongoing harm to other members of the chapter, the HGOs *may* continue seeking to address the problem without your involvement. Your privacy, safety, and confidentiality will be prioritized in this case.

If you have any questions, please email HGO@bostondsa.org.

DSA RESOLUTIONS PROCEDURES

The Boston DSA Resolutions Procedure (login required)
Boston DSA Code of Conduct
National DSA Unified Grievance Policy

TEMPORARY DISCIPLINE

After a formal complaint is filed, the CC may issue a temporary remedy as necessary to protect the health and welfare of members and the integrity of the organization. This can include restrictions up to and including suspension, but cannot continue beyond the final adjudication or 120 days, whichever is sooner.

CONFIDENTIALITY

The first priority of the HGOs is the safety, privacy, and well-being of members. We will never reveal information you share with us without consent unless there would be a clear safety risk in not doing so, and will respect any limitations asked of us in this regard. HGO’s may ask one or more parties to maintain confidentiality around the details of an ongoing case. This is intended to preserve the integrity of the process and avoid escalation during an investigation – it is not meant to indefinitely prevent acknowledging the presence of conflict or harm.

APPEALS

The complaining member, accused member, or the HGOs may appeal the Coordinating Committee’s adjudication to the National Political Committee. There is no time limit on an appeal, but all appeal decisions are final.

THE EFFECTS OF TRAUMA

Witnessing or experiencing harassment, violence, and other forms of abuse can be deeply distressing and disruptive, both at the time of the incident and long afterwards. You may find yourself having responses to the incident that are unexpected, unpredictable, and/or delayed. You may also find that talking about what you experienced, including making a report or speaking with HGOs, brings up painful memories and emotions. We honor your decision to file a formal concern and help make Boston DSA a safer organizing environment for all despite the personal impact doing so may have on you. We hope that the rights you (above) have as a member filing a concern make it possible for you to set boundaries that help mitigate against these effects.

OUTSIDE RESOURCES

The HGOs strive to do our work with the utmost respect and sensitivity to the profound impact of trauma and the needs of survivors. However, because of the nature of our roles, HGOs are unfortunately limited in our ability to provide the focused, ongoing support survivors need and deserve from their loved ones and communities after experiencing abuse. If at any time you need support, you can confidentially & anonymously contact these hotlines for emotional support, information, referrals, and safety-planning from trained listeners. These services are available 24/7/365. They will NOT require you to contact the police or any other state or private organization, or do so on your behalf without your consent.

Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline:  1-877-785-2020
Boston-Area Rape Crisis Center Hotline: 1-800-841-8371
Local LGBQ/T Survivor Hotline: 617-742-4911 (also for those in the poly or kink communities)
You can contact any of these hotlines regardless of how long ago the incident happened or whether you are seeking support for yourself or for someone else.

National Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
Samaritans Statewide Helpline: 1-877-870-4673 (for anyone in need of emotional support)
COMPASS / NAMI Mental Health Helpline: 617-704-6264  (Mon – Fri, 9 AM – 5 PM, provides “help getting help”)

HGOs may also be able to provide more specific suggestions for places to seek support at your request.