Actual crimes should be dealt with by the police and courts. But there are complicating factors, and (as an English lawyer) I've recently been discussing this with the committee of a convention who wanted some guidance.
For instance, what does a convention do if an attendee complains of harassment but does not want the police involved? This is not an unlikely scenario; there may be any number of reasons why a complainant wants some action taken (from a firm warning up to ejection from the event) but does not want to involve the law. It may be that the alleged perpetrator is a former partner, or has mutual friends, or that the complainant has issues with the police or concerns about how a complaint will be handled (cf penguineggs's comments. My day job involves dealing regularly with women who have suffered domestic violence and it is very common for them to have gone for years without wanting to involve the police.
This is an awkward position for a convention committee. My view is that if the behaviour complained of is at the less serious (if still very objectionable) end of the range of unlawful conduct - for instance, unwanted touching but not involving genitals* - then if the complainant makes it clear that he or she does not want the police involved, that should be respected. However, for anything more serious, the convention committee should probably call the police. That being said, I've suggested that the committee contact the Sex Offence Liaison Officer at the local police station in advance so that they can reassure a complainant that any police involvement will be dealt with as sensitively as possible.
no subject
For instance, what does a convention do if an attendee complains of harassment but does not want the police involved? This is not an unlikely scenario; there may be any number of reasons why a complainant wants some action taken (from a firm warning up to ejection from the event) but does not want to involve the law. It may be that the alleged perpetrator is a former partner, or has mutual friends, or that the complainant has issues with the police or concerns about how a complaint will be handled (cf
This is an awkward position for a convention committee. My view is that if the behaviour complained of is at the less serious (if still very objectionable) end of the range of unlawful conduct - for instance, unwanted touching but not involving genitals* - then if the complainant makes it clear that he or she does not want the police involved, that should be respected. However, for anything more serious, the convention committee should probably call the police. That being said, I've suggested that the committee contact the Sex Offence Liaison Officer at the local police station in advance so that they can reassure a complainant that any police involvement will be dealt with as sensitively as possible.
* See the Sentencing Council Guidelines for the Sexual Offences Act 2003, particularly page 33.