RE: What is a "management position? [Last Call: <draft-farrresnickel-harassment-05.txt> (IETF Anti-Harassment Procedures) to Best Current Practice]

[Christian Huitema <[e-mail]>]

> Since the accused can't be kept quiet, is it realistic to have a document that
> purports to provide confidentiality? Unless the identity of the accuser and the
> alleged victim are unknown to the accused (which would create its own set of
> problems), the process can't really be called confidential.

+1

This kind of process only remains confidential if it is somewhat consensual, both the plaintiff and the accused agree that the settlement is fair, and both agree to leave it at that. We will see escalation if either party believes that the result is unfair, e.g., that the plaintiff's complaint was not taken seriously enough, or conversely that the accused was not given due process. In that case, either party could take the IETF to court, and the whole affair will become very public.

This is not idle speculation. We do see escalations against universities for their treatment of assumed sexual improprieties, resulting in some cases in millions of dollars in settlements. There are plenty of lawyers who see "amateur justice" as an opportunity for lucrative settlements.

-- Christian Huitema