Student and parent witnesses are a vital part of any investigation. Often
times they are afraid that if they come forward they will be attacked by
people of other points of view. I have found that creating a bigger context
within which they can view their participation often helps them move past their
fear of retaliation (which is not, by the way, an ungrounded fear - being
labeled as a trouble maker by the school district adm and staff as well as
fellow students is a harrowing experience).
The bigger context I have found, that helps people move forward to participate
openly in the investigation, is to view their participation as not only helping
themselves but others as well. When people see that they may be part of a
solution for many people it helps them summon the courage it takes to face the
backlash that is almost inevitably involved in these cases.
When creating this bigger context for people, I make sure they feel empowered to
freely choose for themselves what they will do. It is often ineffective and
damaging to try to manipulate someone by pointing to the greater good. This
context building needs to be done genuinely and gently, with a willingness on
the interviewers part to respect the decision the witness comes to about
speaking out. If the choice is not made freely, that person may not have the
"where with all" to withstand the rigors of an investigation and become
recalcitrant midway. In some situations a witnesses testimony can be compelled
under oath. This is not a happy circumstance and usually happens in stages past
the investigation and into litigation. Hope this helps.
Mary Jo McGrath
MJDIVA@aol.com
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