A former member of the Husker track team is suing the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for $40,000 in damages, alleging the athletics department retaliated against her in the wake of a domestic violence investigation.
In a complaint filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Omaha, Melissa-Maree Farrington said UNL’s policies guiding Title IX investigations place victims into “an environment more likely to lead to retaliation.â€
After reporting an incident of domestic violence involving a fellow student-athlete she was dating, Farrington said she cooperated in an investigation that left her open to discrimination and humiliation.
Under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, U.S. colleges and universities are responsible for investigating sexual assault claims made by anyone in the university community.
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Title IX investigations, completed by trained university investigators, take place independent of law enforcement. Students are not compelled to give evidence, and at the end of the investigation, the university informs both parties of the findings and recommended disciplinary actions.
The findings are then sent to a separate office, where sanctions are enforced or an appeal hearing is conducted.
The process for UNL student-athletes can include an additional step, however, as a four-member Student Athlete Conduct Committee can enhance punishments against individuals who have been ruled against.
Farrington, a former multi-events athlete on the track and field team, reported the alleged dating violence incident on March 1, 2015, the day it took place, according to the complaint.
While the incident was being investigated, Farrington said she was ostracized and harassed by other male student-athletes.
Calling the investigation process an “inadequate disciplinary system,†Farrington said UNL’s policies operate “contrary to the manner in which a domestic violence crime is prosecuted and punished by the state authorities.â€
The situation created a hostile environment “rather than aiding in diffusing and preventing retaliation,†the suit states.
The outcome of the investigation is unknown.
According to Farrington, once it began, members of a Husker team were instructed not to associate with her, and her track and field coaches became hostile toward her and declined to renew her scholarship, forcing her to transfer ahead of the 2015-16 academic year.
Her athletic scholarship at Nebraska was eventually reinstated, although she claimed a university employee tried to interfere with her securing a scholarship at another school.
Farrington, a native of Australia and an academic All-Big Ten selection in 2015, is listed on Florida State University’s track and field roster this season.
Farrington's attorney, Elizabeth Govaerts, declined to comment Wednesday.
In a written statement Wednesday night, UNL spokesman Steve Smith said the university takes allegations of domestic violence seriously.
"Cases of alleged domestic violence are handled by the Title IX office, which is an independent office within the university," Smith said.Â
UNL's policies were designed to be applied equally to all students in order to determine the facts of each case, provide victims protection and provide a fair process, he added.
"The polices and procedures, generally and as applied in this case, are consistent with our responsibility to assure a safe environment for our students and our obligations under Title IX."